Magnetic Field Generation during Galaxy Formation

The detailed study of the interstellar medium in the Milky Way has given rise to a rich history of papers on magnetic field generation in the disks of spiral galaxies (eg Parker 1971). The theoretical models for dynamo action can now be tested because recent advances in radio polarimetry have allowed detailed polarization maps of nearby spiral galaxies to be completed. The observations suggest that galaxies have both symmetric and bisymmetric …