astronomers have reported an unprecedented elongated double helix nebula near the center of our Milky Way galaxy. the double helix image was captured by the infared spitzer space telescope. The double helix ‘twist’ shape has formed due to magnetic forces at the center of the galaxy.
We see two intertwining strands wrapped around each other as in a DNA molecule,” said Mark Morris, a UCLA professor of physics and astronomy, and lead author. “Nobody has ever seen anything like that before in the cosmic realm. Most nebulae are either spiral galaxies full of stars or formless amorphous conglomerations of dust and gas — space weather. What we see indicates a high degree of order.
more on the double helix nebula can be read at space.com and also in the march journal issue of nature.