Series: Astronomy Colloquium
Date: Wednesday 30-Oct-2019
Time: 16:05-17:00 (4:05-5:00 pm)
Location: ATL 2400
Speaker: Dr. Susan Clark (Institute for Advanced Study)
Title: The magnetic interstellar medium in three dimensions
The Milky Way is magnetized. Magnetic fields thread the Galaxy, influencing interstellar physics from cosmic ray propagation to star formation. The magnetic interstellar medium (ISM) is also a formidable foreground for observational cosmology, particularly for the quest to find signatures of inflation in the polarized cosmic microwave background (CMB). Despite its importance across scientific realms, the structure of the Galactic magnetic field is not well understood. Observational tracers like polarized dust emission yield only sky-projected, distance-integrated measurements of the three-dimensional magnetic structure. I will discuss new ways to probe the magnetic ISM in three dimensions, by combining high-resolution observations of Galactic neutral hydrogen (HI) with recent insights into how HI morphology encodes properties of the ambient magnetic field. This allows the construction of 3D HI-based Stokes parameter maps: a new tool for studying the structure of the Galactic magnetic field, the ISM, and the polarized foreground to the CMB.
Colloquia are usually preceded by espresso and ice cream at 1:45 pm outside room PSC 1150 and are followed by an informal reception at 5:15 pm in that room. Anyone interested in talking with the speaker, or being added to the colloquium announcement email list, should contact the colloquium organizer. Lunch will normally be reserved for the speaker to talk to graduate students. Anyone asking a question during a talk is asked to raise their hand and be acknowledged before speaking.
Colloquium Organizer:
Prof. Richard Mushotzy
Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.
