Scientists release largest magnetic map of the universe using ASKAP radio telescope
Consensus Summary
Scientists from CSIRO and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) have released the largest magnetic map of the universe, named SPICE-RACS, created using data from the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope in Western Australia. The map, five times larger than previous efforts, measures magnetic fields by detecting twists in light from nearly 4 million galaxies, enabling researchers to study cosmic magnetism and the universe’s evolution. The project, led by an international team, marks a significant leap forward in astrophysics, as previous datasets did not cover the southern sky and were limited in scope. The map is now publicly available for global scientific use, with researchers expecting it to unlock new discoveries about the origins of magnetic fields and the cosmic web. ASKAP’s advanced capabilities and the upcoming SKA telescopes are set to further refine these findings in the coming years.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The map, named SPICE-RACS (Spectra and Polarisation In Cutouts of Extragalactic Sources from the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey), is five times larger than all previous magnetic maps combined.
- The map was created using data from the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope located at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory on Wajarri Yamatji Country, Western Australia.
- The project involved measuring twists in light from nearly 4 million galaxies to detect magnetic fields and their strength.
- The map is accessible to scientists worldwide through CSIRO’s data access portal and was published by the Astronomical Society of Australia.
- Previous magnetic field mapping efforts did not cover the southern sky, limiting research for the past 20 years.
- The project was led by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO).
- ASKAP’s ability to scan large areas of the sky at once enabled the creation of this unprecedented map.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The SKAO is currently building the SKA-Low telescope at the same site in Western Australia and another SKA telescope in South Africa, with early operations expected later this decade.
- SKAO Lead researcher Alec Thomson stated that the team reprocessed original data with new measurements to create the full magnetic map.
- CSIRO astronomer Tim Galvin mentioned that the data is already being used by many research teams globally.
- The map will help explain the origin of magnetic fields in the universe and chart details of the cosmic web in finer detail.
- Dr. Alec Thomson emphasized that the map helps investigate fundamental questions about the physics of the universe, including how magnetic fields started and evolved since the Big Bang.
- Prof. Lisa Harvey-Smith, an astrophysicist at UNSW Sydney, explained that magnetic fields are one of the two major forces (alongside gravity) that move objects in space and are responsible for creating light and color.
- Harvey-Smith highlighted that the dataset is a 'true open repository' for scientists to use, with future discoveries expected over the next few years.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC article states the map was published on 2026-06-05, while the Guardian article lists the publication date as 2026-06-04.
Source Articles
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Light from nearly 4m galaxies measured as it twisted and travelled through intergalactic space Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A cosmic map of magnetic fields – the largest ever produced – could help scientists delve into one of the major and most mysterious forces in the universe. A global team led by Australia’s national science agency, the CSIRO charted the magnetic fields by measuring light from nearly 4m gal