| |
 |
| Paper: |
Magnetic Fields in Disks of Galaxies |
| Volume: |
230, Galaxy Disks and Disk Galaxies |
| Page: |
165 |
| Authors: |
Wielebinski, R. |
| Abstract: |
Radio continuum emission, which is observed at meter and cm wavelengths, is generated by the synchrotron radiation process in magnetic fields. All nearby galaxies are observed at radio wavelengths, hence all galaxies have magnetic fields. Observations of the linear polarization of the radio waves from galaxies allow us to deduce the magnetic field morphology which seems to mirror the optical structure of galaxies. Grand design spiral galaxies have spiral magnetic fields in the disks. Edge-on galaxies are observed with azimuthal magnetic fields in the disks and for some with vertical magnetic fields in the center. Surprisingly, irregular dwarf galaxies show rather regular magnetic fields. The origins of large-scale magnetic fields observed in galaxies may best be interpreted in terms of the dynamo action. However small-scale fields are also seen, especially in the Milky Way, that need a different (local) explanation. |
|
|
|
|
|
