Intergalactic magnetic field and galactic warps.

An alternative explanation of galactic warps is proposed, in which the intergalactic magnetic field is responsible for these structures. The model predicts that to be efficient the magnetic field must have a direction not much different from 45^deg^ with the galactic plane. The required values of the field strength in the intergalactic medium is uncertain, of about 10^-8^ gauss, higher values being favored. When observed galaxies are used to determine the directions of the magnetic field responsible for their warps, a noticeable regular alignment is found. The intergalactic magnetic field within 20 Mpc of the Milky Way, points to the direction b^II^ = 28^deg^, l^II^ 123^deg^. Independently, the magnetic field which explains the Milky Way warp has also been calculated, and is close to the field determined from the other galaxies in the sample. In particular it is very close to the field in M 31 and M 33, with b^II^ = 45^deg^ and l^II^ = 74^deg^. Even if one does not accept the magnetic field warp model, this regularity contradicts other warp models.