The Magnetic Fields of Spiral Galaxy M77
Explanation:
Can magnetic fields help tell us how spiral galaxies form and evolve?
To find out, the
HAWC+ instrument on NASA's airborne (747)
SOFIA observatory
observed nearby
spiral galaxy M77.
HAWC+ maps magnetism by observing
polarized
infrared
light emitted by elongated dust grains rotating in alignment with the local
magnetic field.
The HAWC+
image shows
that magnetic fields do appear to trace the spiral arms in the inner regions of
M77, arms that likely highlight
density waves in the inflowing gas, dust and stars
caused by the gravity
of the galaxy's oval shape.
The featured picture
superposes
the HAWC+ image over diffuse
X-ray
emission mapped by NASA's
NuSTAR
satellite and
visible light
images taken by
Hubble
and the
SDSS.
M77 is located about 47 million
light years
away toward the constellation of the
Sea Monster
(Cetus).
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
