Magnetic Universe · Unveiling interstellar and intergalactic magnetic fields with radio polarimetry and theoretical astrophysics
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-01-16 → 2019-01-15
- EU contribution
- €195,455
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Unveiling interstellar and intergalactic magnetic fields with radio polarimetry and theoretical astrophysics
Magnetic fields are amazing. Their invisible presence can be illuminated by the classic school experiment to sprinkle iron filings over a bar magnet or a current carrying wire. They make your compass point north, protect the Earth and your smartphone from harmful radiation from space, and can even be used to levitate frogs. But more impressively, they connect everything in the Universe: from the smallest atomic scales, to the massive sizes of stars like our own Sun, and far beyond out into the immense depths of interstellar space (between the billions of stars that make up an individual galaxy, like our own Milky Way) and intergalactic space (between an infinite number of galaxies scattered throughout the Universe). As an astrophysicist, my research involved using the world’s most powerful radio telescopes to study how light from distant galaxies has been subtly affected by the presence of magnetic fields along the line of sight. This has enabled me to study magnetic fields in the interstellar environment within our Milky Way Galaxy, and in the intergalactic medium in the depths of space beyond our Milky Way. My research involves data analytics, statistics, and theoretical physics to analyse and interpret findings, and to open new knowledge to humanity regarding the Universe we inhabit. Our understanding of interstellar magnetic fields still remains very limited, while there are practically no robust observational probes of intergalactic magnetism available. My research has sought to address these limitations. By seeking an understanding of how magnetic fields were generated and how they evolved in enormous structures like galaxies and beyond, we can better understand the evolution and possibly even the early formation of the Universe, connecting from the earliest time at the Big Bang across 13.7 billion years until today and the rich cosmic environment around us.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
There is a pressing need to chart the origin, evolution, and impact of magnetic fields over the full 13.7 billion year history of the Universe, with implications for particle physics, cosmology, and astrophysics. Key to this endeavour is a detailed physical understanding of how galaxies have become magnetised and what role intergalactic magnetic fields play in shaping the Universe. To make progress, we need to observationally characterize properties such as the strengths and topologies of galactic and intergalactic magnetic fields. I propose a portfolio of ground-breaking research projects that will capitalise on the recently upgraded Jansky VLA radio telescope to provide new observational measurements of interstellar and intergalactic magnetic fields and elucidate their roles in shaping the Universe. A Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Research Fellowship will facilitate movement from my current position as an Assistant Scientist at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in the USA to Newcastle University in the UK. This will enable me to acquire new expertise in theoretical astrophysics with a particular focus on magnetic dynamo mechanisms. This expertise is needed to interpret the observational findings of my research, maximize its impact, and enable me to establish an international leadership position in the study of cosmic magnetism. The move to Newcastle will enable me to develop my capabilities as a professional academic through engagement in student research supervision, classroom teaching, and public communication of science, facilitated by a variety of specialized training programs offered to University staff. Such training and opportunities are not available at my current position within an Observatory. As a result, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Research Fellowship will equip me with essential skills needed to compete internationally for faculty positions leading to my goal of becoming a full research and teaching Professor at a major University.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE · Newcastle Upon TyneCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union