Astronomers Solve Magnetic Fields Mystery

An anonymous reader writes "It is a long-standing and unsolved mystery why 80% of all planetary nebulae are not spherical. Theories suggest that magnetic fields play a role in shaping planetary nebulae. A team of astronomers from Germany has now discovered the first direct clue that magnetic fields might indeed create these remarkable shapes. Planetary nebulae are expanding gas shells that are ejected by Sun-like stars at the end of their lifetimes."

Comments

Great

[pronobozo]

Now explain why the magnetic fields are shaped that way. :-)

this about that

[djupedal]

[clip] has now discovered the first direct clue that magnetic fields might indeed create these remarkable shapes

When pushed for an explanation of why the crab nebula was so different, one scientist responded with a huff and withdrew into his basement office.

In other news...

A couple in the Hamptons has asked the same group of scientists to determine why socks dissapear in the dryer. Film at eleven.

Re: this about that

[Black Parrot]

> A couple in the Hamptons has asked the same group of scientists to determine why socks dissapear in the dryer.

They disappear into the electronic equivalent of a black hole, and re-appear on the internet as sock puppets.

Re:this about that

[krymsin01]

You are wrong! The turtle steals my socks. Turtles all the way DOWN!

Re:What about the other 20%?

[Anonymous Coward]

I would suggest those 20% aren't not not perfectly spherical, but that magnetic forces have figured less into their formation for one reason or another (less iron present?) so they wound up being less not spherical than the other 80%.

From Family Guy: (obligated!)

[Man in Spandex]

Museum guy: Because you touch yourself at night!

Re:More and more

[clawDATA]

However, as far as I'm concerned, in universal scope one can never have facts, just theories which work in certain fields, until they are replaced by more accurate theories.

It's attitudes like this which are stopping us from being omnipotent.

Re:What about the other 20%?

[kfg]

dude, this guy is dumb.

Nah, just ignorant. He's heard stuff he doesn't understand. Ignorance is curable. Stupid is in the bones.

Note that he was smart enough to phrase his post as a question asking for clarification, which, given the nature of this forum, also implies a certain amount of self worth without lapsing into egotism.

I'm the damed fool who was stupid enough to make statements. That sort of behaviour can get you garotted around these parts.

KFG

Re:What about the other 20%?

[orthogonal]

If 80% aren't spherical one must ask why the other 20% are NOT.

Why even bother to ask why? If you come across something and you can't figure out how it could have occurred, just claim the event or process is the product of Intelligent Design .

Why spend year after tedious year engaging in reductionist scientific inquiry when you can just bail out immediately with an answer that cannot be falsified: Intelligent Design .

Worried that your invisible sky-ghost or imaginary all-powerful personal friend isn't getting the deferential worship He deserves in this age of secular humanism? Sneak your sky-ghost back into the schools and indoctrinate another generation of devout sheep with Intelligent Design .

Remember the "Argument from Personal Incredulity": if you're too thick to figure out how something works, it must be because no one can figure it out! Don't sweat it! Just explain it away by saying it was caused personally God^H^H^H an Intelligent Designer!

Don't waste time asking question or doing science! Just give credit to an Intelligent Designer and go back to sleep!