Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-09-04
New Astron.Rev. 48 (2004) 1003-1012
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
11 pages, 7 embedded EPS figures, uses espcrc2.sty. Minor typos fixed. To appear in "Science with the Square Kilometer Array,"
Scientific paper
10.1016/j.newar.2004.09.003
Magnetism is one of the four fundamental forces. However, the origin of magnetic fields in stars, galaxies and clusters is an open problem in astrophysics and fundamental physics. When and how were the first fields generated? Are present-day magnetic fields a result of dynamo action, or do they represent persistent primordial magnetism? What role do magnetic fields play in turbulence, cosmic ray acceleration and galaxy formation? Here we demonstrate how the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) can deliver new data which will directly address these currently unanswered issues. Much of what we present is based on an all-sky survey of rotation measures, in which Faraday rotation towards >10^7 background sources will provide a dense grid for probing magnetism in the Milky Way, in nearby galaxies, and in distant galaxies, clusters and protogalaxies. Using these data, we can map out the evolution of magnetised structures from redshifts z>3 to the present, can distinguish between different origins for seed magnetic fields in galaxies, and can develop a detailed model of the magnetic field geometry of the intergalactic medium and of the overall Universe. With the unprecedented capabilities of the SKA, the window to the Magnetic Universe can finally be opened.
Beck Rainer
Feretti Luigina
Gaensler Bryan M.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Magnetism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Magnetism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Magnetism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-584414