Magnetic Fields and Turbulence
Magnetism plays a critical role in many areas of astrophysics, because it controls both the bulk flow properties of interstellar gas as well as the motion of individual charged particles. However, we know surprisingly little about the properties of the Galactic magnetic field. We are making a concerted effort to redress this situation, using the Faraday rotation of the diffuse polarized radio background as a new way to study structure and turbulence in magnetized gas. Some of our current projects include using the power spectra of rotation measures to map the turbulent cascade of ionized gas in the Galactic plane, using the Faraday rotation of background point sources to map out the large-scale magnetic structure of the inner Galaxy, and analyzing polarization data on the Large Magellanic Cloud in order to carry out the most detailed study yet of the magnetic field of an external galaxy. Such data represent a whole new way of studying the ISM, and can allow a comprehensive study of interstellar magnetic fields on scales ranging from sub-parsec turbulence up to global galactic structure.
For more information contact Bryan Gaensler