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Observations of Magnetic Fields in Galaxies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 March 2016

R. Wielebinski
R. Wielebinski*
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie Auf dem Hügel 69, W-5300 Bonn 1Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract

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Magnetic fields are present in every corner of the Universe. The Earth, the Sun and most of the planets are known to possess dipolar magnetic fields. In the Galaxy many individual objects like stars, pulsars, bipolar nebulae and supernova remnants are found to have associated magnetic fields. It seems that the rotation plays a significant role in the ability of a cosmic object to develop a magnetic field. The magnetic field of the Galaxy is observed to be oriented along the galactic plane as evidenced by both optical and radio polarization observations. Radio maps of the Galactic centre reveal poloidal magnetic fields as ‘wisps’ or ‘strings’ around Sagittarius A. Observations of nearby galaxies give us remarkable information about the large-scale magnetic fields in these building blocks of the Universe. Magnetic fields play an important role in the formation of jets of radio galaxies. Further out, in clusters of galaxies, definitive evidence has been given for the existence of intergalactic magnetic fields.

Type
Joint Discussions
Information
Highlights of Astronomy , Volume 9: Highlights of Astronomy. As presented at the XXIst General Assembly of the IAU, 1991 , 1992 , pp. 81 - 86
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1992

References

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