The Spatial energy spectrum of magnetic fields in our galaxy
Apr, 2004
7 pages
Published in:
- Astrophys.J. 610 (2004) 820-826
e-Print:
- astro-ph/0404221 [astro-ph]
DOI:
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Abstract: (arXiv)
Interstellar magnetic fields exist over a broad range of spatial scales, extending from the large Galactic scales ( kpc) down to the very small dissipative scales ( pc). In this paper, we use a set of 490 pulsars distributed over roughly one third of the Galactic disk out to a radius kpc (assuming kpc) and combine their observed rotation and dispersion measures with their estimated distances to derive the spatial energy spectrum of the Galactic interstellar magnetic field over the scale range kpc. We obtain a nearly flat spectrum, with a 1D power-law index for and an rms field strength of approximately G over the relevant scales. Our study complements the derivation of the magnetic energy spectrum over the scale range pc by \citet{ms96b}, showing that the magnetic spectrum becomes flatter at larger scales. This observational result is discussed in the framework of current theoretical and numerical models.Note:
- 7 pages, 6 figures, ApJ accepted Journal-ref: Astrophys.J. 610 (2004) 820-826 DOI: 10.1086/421760
- ISM: magnetic fields
- pulsars: general
- turbulence
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