Polarization as a probe of magnetized gas in and around galaxies

By Ann Mao (University of Wisconsin)

Radio polarimetry, particularly across a wide band, is a truly unique probe of the magnetized medium in galaxies. It can be used to derive large-scale magnetic field structures as well as turbulent properties. In this talk, I will present the latest Jansky Very Large Array polarization observations of the Whirlpool galaxy and what they tell us about the large-scale magnetic fields and turbulence in its halo. In addition, I will describe on-going efforts to measure magnetic fields in HVCs and in galaxies at "higher" redshift.

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