Magnetic fields and inter stella medium

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the production of magnetic fields in the interstellar medium, exploring theoretical frameworks and references related to this topic. Participants seek to understand the mechanisms behind magnetic field generation in galaxies, including both primordial origins and dynamo processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests references on how magnetic fields are produced in the interstellar medium.
  • Another participant suggests specific texts that touch on the topic of magnetic fields within the context of the interstellar medium.
  • A participant expresses the belief that the topic is underrated and invites deeper insights from those with more knowledge.
  • Multiple links to resources are provided by a participant, indicating various studies and papers related to magnetic fields in the interstellar medium.
  • One participant outlines two potential mechanisms for the generation of galactic magnetic fields: primordial magnetic fields from the early universe and the galactic dynamo theory, noting that each mechanism alone may not fully account for observed magnetic field strengths.
  • Another participant expresses gratitude for the resources shared, indicating a desire to further explore the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the mechanisms of magnetic field generation, with multiple competing views presented regarding primordial fields and dynamo processes.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the strength and origins of magnetic fields are noted, but the discussion does not resolve these complexities or provide definitive conclusions.

wolram
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Can anyone point me to some reference as to how magnetic fields are
produced in the inter stella medium please.
 
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I don't know much about the subject myself, but I suggest either "Physical Processes of the Interstellar Medium" by Lyman Spitzer (only small parts about magnetic fields) or "Plasma Physics for Astrophysics" by Russel Kulsrud.
 
Thanks Space tiger, i think this is a under rated topic, and think it needs
more understanding, if anyone has a deep understanding on this, i would
be greatful to hear from them.
 
wolram said:
Can anyone point me to some reference as to how magnetic fields are
produced in the inter stella medium please.
Here are a few good links on that:

http://astronomy.sussex.ac.uk/~petert/ism2/magfield.pdf

http://www.bao.ac.cn/bao/hjl/xian/proceedings/Katia/fin/Katia.pdf

http://citebase.eprints.org/cgi-bin/fulltext?format=application/pdf&identifier=oai%3AarXiv.org%3Aastro-ph%2F0012301

http://www.aas.org/publications/baas/v36n5/aas205/1306.htm

http://flux.aps.org/meetings/BAPSMAY96/abs/S1335004.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As far as I know there are two possibilites, and probably a combination of both leads to the generation of magnetic fields in galaxies. The first one assumes that the origin of galatic magnetic fields are primordial magnetic fields in the universe before galaxy formation. The collapse and compression of baryons would have compressed the line fields also, increasing the field strength (it is assumed that the field lines are ‘frozen’ and bound to the barionic gas). The second one is the theory of the galactic dynamo and assumes that the magnetic fields are generated due to turbulent motions which amplify in a preferred direction. As far as I know the first option alone leads to magnetic fields which are too strong compared with observations, and the second option alone leads to magnetic fields which are too weak in newborn galaxies, compared with observations.
 
Thanks Lab guy, lots of lovely reading, should keep me busy for a while.
thanks also Hellfire.
 

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