While astronomers and astrophysicists continue to explore the infinite expanses of outer space, making discovery after discovery, the truth is we have only uncovered the smallest fraction of our universe. There are still plenty of mysteries left out there, some that puzzle scientists to no end. One such mystery involves a star in the Cygnus constellation. Known only as KIC 8462852, it is only slightly larger than our own star, but resides nearly 1,500 light years from Earth. So what’s the big deal? There are more stars in the galaxy than we can count. What makes this one so special? As it turns out, KIC 8462852 may not be a star at all. The mystery all started in October 2015, when KIC 8462852 was observed by NASA’s Kepler Telescope. Most stars fluctuate in terms of movement and brightness, there’s even a scale by which it’s measured, but one report noted: “Over the duration of the Kepler mission, KIC 8462852 was observed to undergo irregularly shaped, aperiodic dips in flux down to below the 20 percent level." While this might not mean much upon initial inspection, it’s a very peculiar thing to a scientist. One theory stood out. Could KIC 8462852 actually be an enormous structure created by alien lifeforms? While nothing has been proven, it was certainly an exciting prospect—until now. Mega Magnetic Fields While the search for alien life still continues, a look back at KIC 8462852 reveals an alternative explanation of its phenomena. Basically, the star is experiencing some major activity in its magnetic field. Activity so severe, researchers have likened it to an avalanche. Think of an avalanche. In an instant, a huge amount of snow breaks free, rushing down the mountain at breakneck speeds with incredible force. The idea is essentially the same here, however, rather than snow, substitute magnetism. Instead of a gigantic alien structure, many researchers now believe KIC 8462852’s bizarre activity comes from extreme fluctuations in its inner magnetic field. Deep within the star’s core, the immense energy is causing the magnetic field to constantly flip or line up in different ways, wreaking havoc on the star itself. Imagine sporadically tossing a baseball from hand to hand. This movement is abnormal for celestial bodies. Gravity tends to keep them in check, moving in set patterns with little variance. But because of KIC 8462852’s magnetic field, it appeared to be something more than a star. While this might be disappointing to all of us who want to believe (in aliens), we’re certainly still thrilled by this awesome display of magnetism! Make sure to check back often for more magnetic news.