The Role of Magnetic Fields in the Evolution of Galaxies
Abstract
The role of magnetic fields in the formation of galaxies is explored. Particular attention is given to the existence of a large-scale magnetic field, its magnitude, and its direction and modulus; the nature of the scale spectrum of its random component; and the time evolution of the intergalactic magnetic field. Also discussed are questions regarding the nature of the magnetic field in the Milky Way neighborhood, the particular effect of magnetic field on the galaxy formation (i.e., whether magnetic field enhances or prevents the formation of a galaxy), the effect of magnetic field on the further evolution of galaxies, and whether or not a magnetic field is required as a guiding quantity to explain the Hubble sequence. The existing information on the large-scale magnetic field, such as that coming from Faraday Rotation of distant polarized radio sources and from the spatial distribution of galactic warps, is discussed.
- Publication:
-
Evolutionary Phenomena in Galaxies
- Pub Date:
- 1989
- Bibcode:
- 1989epg..conf...39B
- Keywords:
-
- Faraday Effect;
- Galactic Evolution;
- Galactic Structure;
- Interstellar Magnetic Fields;
- Radio Sources (Astronomy);
- Linear Polarization;
- Quasars;
- Astrophysics