Our Milky Way is a complex interplay between stars, gas, dust, magnetic fields and cosmic rays. Of these elements we know the least so far about the magnetic fields. These fields are only partly and indirectly observable: current models are often only based on measured polarized radio emissions. Many questions about these magnetic fields remain unanswered, especially about small changes in the magnetic field. The current measurement methods are not precise enough to measure this.
In MAGALOPS, researchers are therefore working on a 3D 'standard model' of the magnetic field in our Milky Way. To properly visualize this magnetic field in 3 dimensions, including small-scale changes, the researchers will use optical polarization of starlight. The observations of the polarization of stars are analyzed with the software system IMAGINE, which was developed for modeling and testing the magnetic field of the Milky Way.
The researchers hope that MAGALOPS will provide an improved Galactic magnetic field model, based on a variety of data analyzed with IMAGINE. This new model will also make it possible to better describe the fluctuations in these magnetic fields on small scales. This provides insight into the role that magnetic fields play in the ecosystem of the Milky Way. The model can also be used in other astrophysical research, such as studies of cosmic rays or the polarization of the cosmic background radiation left over from the Big Bang. In addition, the project will yield a catalog of stellar polarization 1000x larger than currently available. More information can be found on the MAGALOPS website .
Our Milky Way is a complex interplay between stars, gas, dust, magnetic fields and cosmic rays. Of these elements we know the least so far about the magnetic fields. These fields are only partly and indirectly observable: current models are often only based on measured polarized radio emissions. Many questions about these magnetic fields remain unanswered, especially about small changes in the magnetic field. The current measurement methods are not precise enough to measure this.
In MAGALOPS, researchers are therefore working on a 3D 'standard model' of the magnetic field in our Milky Way. To properly visualize this magnetic field in 3 dimensions, including small-scale changes, the researchers will use optical polarization of starlight. The observations of the polarization of stars are analyzed with the software system IMAGINE, which was developed for modeling and testing the magnetic field of the Milky Way.
The researchers hope that MAGALOPS will provide an improved Galactic magnetic field model, based on a variety of data analyzed with IMAGINE. This new model will also make it possible to better describe the fluctuations in these magnetic fields on small scales. This provides insight into the role that magnetic fields play in the ecosystem of the Milky Way. The model can also be used in other astrophysical research, such as studies of cosmic rays or the polarization of the cosmic background radiation left over from the Big Bang. In addition, the project will yield a catalog of stellar polarization 1000x larger than currently available.
The research team expects MAGALOPS to lead to a new model of the Milky Way's magnetic field. This model contains an accurate description of both the general field structure and the small-scale fluctuations. The model and the IMAGINE software developed will be publicly available and described in articles in professional journals. The project also produces a unique catalog of stellar polarization. The analysis of this will be described in several publications and two dissertations.