Graduate Studies
Constraining the Magneto-Ionic Environment of Galactic Supernova Remnants
Abstract
dc:description.abstractThe Galactic Magnetic Field (GMF) plays a crucial role in the evolution of the Milky Way, influencing where stars can be born and supporting large-scale structures. Despite this, relatively little is known about the GMF, prompting many efforts to map and constrain the magnetic field strength and direction in as much of the sky as possible. One of the most useful analysis tools for doing so is the observation of rotation measures (RMs), a quantity describing the effects of Faraday rotation on polarised radiation that depends on the magnetic field threading the volume of electron gas the radiation travels through. By calculating RMs from polarised sources at known distances, we are able to deduce properties of the GMF, provided that we know the distribution of electrons along the light propagation path. Historically, this technique is most often applied to unresolved compact sources, but analysis of these sources only provide us information about the line-of-sight magnetic field. My research focuses on applying a similar technique to supernova remnants (SNRs), extended sources of polarised emission in our Galaxy, in order to determine `anchor points' of the GMF where the 3-dimensional magnetic field can be found. I refined existing work using SNRs to develop techniques of depolarisation analysis and RM gradient analysis that constrain the GMF and provide necessary context for the magneto-ionic environment around these objects.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Physics & Astronomy
- Grantor dc:publisher.institution
- Graduate Studies
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2024
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Scullion, Larson
- Advisors dc:contributor.advisor
-
- Brown, Jo-Anne
- Kothes, Roland
- Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Spanswick, Emma
- Plume, Rene
- Burchill, Johnathan
Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:1880/120253