Using the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a team of astronomers mapped out the magnetic field of G47, one...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Using the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a team of astronomers mapped out the magnetic field of G47, one of the Milky Way's galactic bones (dense clouds of gas and dust that run through the middle of the arm of a spiral galaxy). Surprisingly, the map revealed a magnetic field with no clear pattern or direction. The researchers had expected the magnetic field to be similar to the more uniform fields seen in galactic bones in other arms of the Milky Way.
According to the text, what was surprising about the researchers' mapping of the magnetic field of galactic bone G47?
It showed a weaker magnetic field than expected.
It implied that previous mappings of the magnetic field were inaccurate.
It produced magnetic field measurements similar to those for other galactic bones.
It revealed a magnetic field that wasn't uniform.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Using the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a team of astronomers mapped out the magnetic field of G47" |
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| "one of the Milky Way's galactic bones (dense clouds of gas and dust that run through the middle of the arm of a spiral galaxy)" |
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| "Surprisingly, the map revealed a magnetic field with no clear pattern or direction." |
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| "The researchers had expected the magnetic field to be similar to the more uniform fields seen in galactic bones in other arms of the Milky Way." |
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Provide Passage Architecture and Core Elements
Main Point: A study of galactic bone G47 revealed a surprisingly non-uniform magnetic field, unlike the uniform fields found in other galactic bones.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a scientific study, presents surprising results that contradicted expectations, then explains what the researchers had anticipated based on previous observations of similar structures.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? What aspect of the G47 magnetic field mapping was surprising to the researchers
What type of answer do we need? The specific characteristic that made the results unexpected
Any limiting keywords? According to the text means we need to stick to what's explicitly stated, and surprising focuses us on the contrast between expectation and reality
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer must capture what made the G47 results unexpected
- The researchers expected a uniform magnetic field like other galactic bones but instead found one with no clear pattern or direction
- The surprising element was specifically that the field wasn't uniform or organized
It showed a weaker magnetic field than expected.
- This choice focuses on field strength, but the passage never mentions the magnetic field being weaker than expected
- The surprise was about pattern/organization, not strength
It implied that previous mappings of the magnetic field were inaccurate.
- The passage doesn't suggest that previous mappings were wrong or inaccurate
- The researchers expected G47 to be similar to other galactic bones based on established observations
It produced magnetic field measurements similar to those for other galactic bones.
- This is the opposite of what happened - G47's field was unlike other galactic bones
- The passage explicitly states researchers expected similarity but found the opposite
It revealed a magnetic field that wasn't uniform.
- This directly matches the passage's description of a magnetic field with no clear pattern or direction
- A non-uniform field is exactly what surprised the researchers, since they expected uniformity like other galactic bones