An asteroid has aided scientists in uncovering the mystery behind the origins of the outer Solar System (photo).

The results of a new study have provided the first evidence of the existence of a weak magnetic field in the outer part of the Solar System during its formation. It has been known that the magnetic field contributed to the creation of the inner part of the Solar System, where Earth, Venus, Mercury, and Mars formed, but scientists were uncertain whether a magnetic field existed beyond Jupiter's orbit. The research is published in the journal AGU Advances, reports Interesting Engineering.

Scientists examined tiny particles from the asteroid Ryugu, which were delivered to Earth four years ago. This asteroid is believed to have formed at the edges of the early Solar System before moving into the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The researchers were searching for signs of an ancient magnetic field and found the first evidence that it existed not only in the inner part of the early Solar System but also in the outer regions.

About 4.6 billion years ago, a dense cloud of gas and dust collapsed under the influence of gravity, leading to the formation of the Sun and the embryo of the future Solar System. The matter that remained after the Sun's formation, known as the solar nebula, consisted of ionized gas. Scientists believe that the interaction between the young Sun and the ionized gas created a magnetic field that filled the nebula. This magnetic field played a crucial role in the accumulation of matter in the inner part of the Solar System, resulting in the formation of planets, their moons, and asteroids.

Previous studies indicated that this magnetic field extended to Jupiter's orbit, which is approximately seven times the distance from Earth to the Sun. Researchers believe that a magnetic field strength of between 50 to 200 microteslas played a significant role in the formation of Earth, Venus, Mercury, and Mars. Evidence of this had previously been found in meteorites that originated in the inner part of the solar nebula and later fell to Earth.

Until now, scientists had been unable to determine whether a magnetic field existed in the outer part of the early Solar System. To find out, the authors of the study analyzed tiny particles from the asteroid Ryugu in search of signs of an ancient magnetic field.

However, the analysis of the Ryugu samples revealed some evidence of a preserved magnetic field. The scientists also analyzed meteorites that formed in the distant part of the solar nebula. By compiling the data, the study's authors concluded that a magnetic field did exist in the outer part of the early Solar System, although it was very weak—at most 15 microteslas. In comparison, Earth's magnetic field has a strength of 50 microteslas.

Despite this, scientists believe that this magnetic field could have helped gather primordial gas and dust, leading to the formation of asteroids and possibly even planets, ranging from Jupiter to Neptune.