GMIMS Observing at Parkes

Lead Research Organisation: Newcastle University
Department Name: Mathematics and Statistics

Abstract

Magnetic fields play an important role in determining why our Galaxy, the Milky Way, looks as it does. In particular they strongly influence the distribution and motion of the interstellar medium, the gas that fills the space in between stars and from which stars are formed, and cosmic rays, charged particles that fill the Galaxy and travel at close to the speed of light. These observations with the Parkes radio telescope in Australia form part of the most comprehensive survey of magnetic fields in the Milky Way ever undertaken; the Galactic Magneto-Ionic Medium Survey (GMIMS) is a collaboration of 13 scientists from 6 countries. GMIMS will lead to a significant advance in our understanding of cosmic magnetic fields.

Publications

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Wolleben M (2010) ANTISYMMETRY IN THE FARADAY ROTATION SKY CAUSED BY A NEARBY MAGNETIZED BUBBLE in The Astrophysical Journal

 
Description The observations made at the Parkes radio telescope are part of the most detailed study to date of the properties of the magnetised plasma that fills the space between the stars in the Milky Way.
Exploitation Route The work will be useful for cosmologists who wish to measure the polarisation properties of the cosmic microwave background radiation. It is essential that they can accurately remove the polarised signal from our Milky Way in order to reliably detect the cosmological signal fro the early universe.
Sectors Other
 
Description Radio observations part of survey of polarised emission of the southern sky. Used in fundamental research and also for public engagement. Data were shown after a special screening of the film "The Dish", during a question and answer session I held with the audience.
First Year Of Impact 2013
Impact Types Cultural