Objective Magnetic fields pervade the Milky Way and dominate cosmic ray propagation, interstellar medium dynamics and probably star formation. Despite its importance, surprisingly little is known about the strength and structure of the magnetic field in the Galactic disk and halo.The newly developed observational method of Rotation Measure Synthesis will revolutionize our knowledge about the magnetized Galactic ecosystem. This is not only important for Galactic scientists, but is also crucial for interpretation of cosmological data such as the polarized Cosmic Microwave Background or the Epoch of Reionization. A global consortium has been founded to perform the required surveys in both northern and southern hemisphere over an unprecedented wide frequency range.Haverkorn is an active member of the consortium and Principal Investigator of the all-southern-sky survey which is a crucial part of the project. She intends to set up a research group at host institute ASTRON which will become the European center for Galactic magnetic field research.ASTRON is leading the development and exploitation of the innovative next-generation radio telescope LOFAR with exquisite resolution and sensitivity to weak Galactic magnetic fields. Haverkorn's all-northern-sky spectro-polarimetric survey with LOFAR will for the first time characterize the magnetized halo, clarify the origin and evolution of Galactic magnetism, and allow accurate polarized foreground subtraction from cosmological measurements.Haverkorn's large expertise in radio polarimetry will also be very useful in calibration and testing of the telescope. In particular, she will perform an initial polarized calibrator survey which will provide a calibrator catalog for all future LOFAR users, will test the polarization pipeline, and will allow improvement of Galactic magnetic field models. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyobservational astronomyradio astronomynatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencescelestial mechanicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyphysical cosmology Keywords 3 D modelling Astrophysics Radiation physics Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) PEOPLE-2007-4-3.IRG - Marie Curie Action: "International Reintegration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IRG - International Re-integration Grants (IRG) Coordinator STICHTING ASTRONOMISCH ONDERZOEK IN NEDERLAND Address Oude hoogeveensedijk 4 7991PD Dwingeloo Netherlands See on map Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Janneke Wubs (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 100 000,00
