Abstract

The magnetic field of the Galaxy is investigated by spherical harmonic analysis of Faraday rotation measures of extragalactic sources and interstellar polarization measurements. Two methods of analysis are used. Initially, these are compared on synthetic data sets, and some problems illustrated. Faraday rotation measures of extragalactic radio sources are taken primarily from a recent catalogue (Simard-Normandin, Kronberg, and Button, 1981). These show certain trends with position in the sky, somewhat disrupted by random effects. A recently developed inverse theory method of spherical harmonic analysis gave an interesting quantitative indication of these trends, although some problems of analysis remain.

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

1986

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