[22.02] Hydromagnetic Processes in the Intergalactic Medium

AAS 200th meeting, Albuquerque, NM, June 2002
Session 22. Extra Galactic Magnetic Fields: Their Origin and Manifestation through Structure of Quasars, Radio Lobes and within Clusters
Special Session Oral, Monday, June 3, 2002, 10:00-11:30am, La Cienega

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[22.02] Hydromagnetic Processes in the Intergalactic Medium

R. D. Blandford (Caltech)

There has been some observation of and even more speculation about intergalactic magnetic fields. Setting aside the question of primordial origin, there is ample opportunity to grow, amplify and disperse magnetic field in the first stars, galaxies and radio sources. In addition, gravitationally-induced, curving shock fronts in primordial gas may also lead to field creation as well as cosmic ray acceleration. Attempts to quantify the strength and filling factor of these magnetized regions in the intergalactic medium will be reviewed and the possible, dynamical importance of magnetized regions for the evolution of cluster gas will be highlighted. The implications for future high energy gamma ray observations will be emphasized.

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