Radiocontinuum in nearby galaxies

The observed radio-continuum in galaxies is the addition of thermal and non-thermal emissions. Thermal emission, due to hot gas ionized by stars, has a flat spectrum and is best observed at high radio frequencies. The non-thermal emission, due to relativistic electrons spiralling in magnetic fields...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor principal: Wielebinski, R.
Formato: Articulo Comunicacion
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 1981
Materias:
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/111744
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Sumario:The observed radio-continuum in galaxies is the addition of thermal and non-thermal emissions. Thermal emission, due to hot gas ionized by stars, has a flat spectrum and is best observed at high radio frequencies. The non-thermal emission, due to relativistic electrons spiralling in magnetic fields of a galaxy, has a steep spectrum and dominates at lover radio frequencies. Relativistic electrons can originate in supernovae, pulsars, X-ray sources and CB-stars. The non-thermal emission process offers an additional possibility since the radio emission is linearly polarized. We can use the observations of polarized radiation to trace the magnetic fields in galaxies.