Magnetic highways are contributing to gas and dust ejection in Messier 82

Scientists have been searching for what's fueling the ejection of gas and dust out of Messier 82, known as the Cigar galaxy. Astronomers know the galaxy has thousands of stars coming into existence that drive a powerful super wind that blows matter into intergalactic space. The new research shows that magnetic fields are also contributing to the material being expelled from the galaxy.