Cosmic Magnetism in Galaxy Clusters and Large Scale Structure

Tracy Clarke (Naval Research Laboratory)

Cosmic Magnetism in Galaxy Clusters and Large Scale Structure

The presence of magnetic fields and relativistic particles within at least some galaxy clusters is inferred from detections of large-scale diffuse synchrotron emission filling vast portions of the cluster potential. I will discuss the importance of understanding the magnetic field and relativistic particle content of clusters for studies of cluster formation and evolution as well as for the use of clusters in cosmological studies. Upcoming multi-wavelength radio instruments will be critical to expanding our understanding of the relativistic particle and magnetic field content of the ICM. I will highlight the important role that the combination of deep optical and multi-wavelength radio studies will play in reconstructing the dynamical state and merger history of galaxy clusters.

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The National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.