Polarized Radio Emission from M51
Abstract
The polarized radio continuum emission of M 51 is found to be strongest outside the optical spiral arms. The rotation measure varies double-sinusoidally with azimuthal angle which for the first time clearly shows a dominating bisymmetric spiral (BSS) structure of the large-scale magnetic field in M 51. The pitch angle of the magnetic spiral is similar to that of the optical spiral arms. The lowest (axisymmetric) dynamo mode is possibly suppressed by interaction with the companion galaxy.
- Publication:
-
Galactic and Intergalactic Magnetic Fields
- Pub Date:
- 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990IAUS..140..211H
- Keywords:
-
- Interstellar Magnetic Fields;
- Polarized Electromagnetic Radiation;
- Spiral Galaxies;
- Dynamo Theory;
- Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence;
- Radio Astronomy;
- Astrophysics