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| Paper: |
Submillimeter Polarimetry and the Galactic Center Magnetic Field |
| Volume: |
343, Astronomical Polarimetry: Current Status and Future Directions |
| Page: |
311 |
| Authors: |
Chuss, D.T.; Dowell, C.D.; Hildebrand, R.H.; Novak, G. |
| Abstract: |
We summarize recent Galactic center submillimeter polarimetry results from both the Hertz polarimeter operating at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and the SPARO polarimeter operating on the Viper telescope at the South Pole. Using a 5′ beam, SPARO has found the large scale field within the central 200 parsecs to be parallel to the plane of the Galaxy, suggesting a toroidal field. On smaller (200″) scales, the Hertz data within the central 50 parsecs show a field that is more complex. In denser regions, the field is generally parallel to the plane, consistent with the field observed by SPARO. In less dense regions, the field is generally perpendicular to the plane, consistent with the field traced by the brightest long, thin synchrotron structures known as the non-thermal filaments. These results support the idea that an initially poloidal field in the Galactic center is sheared by differential rotation into a toroidal configuration in regions where the gravitational energy density is greater than that of the magnetic field. In addition, we present new Hertz data on the Dust Ridge, an arched structure of submillimeter emission extending from the Galactic center Radio Arc to Sagittarius B2. |
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