We are proposing a comprehensive program to study the link between galactic magnetic fields and star formation. After decades of study, the physical processes regulating star formation still remain…

This is a $2,686,502.09 grant awarded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) to conduct a comprehensive program studying the link between galactic magnetic fields and star formation. The project will utilize the Balloon-Borne Large Aperture Telescope (BLASTPOL), which has been upgraded with increased spatial resolution, field of view, and mapping speed to make deep maps of star forming regions and probe galactic dust as a foreground for future cosmic microwave background experiments. This work supports NASA's Cosmic Origins Program and aligns with the agency's goal of better understanding the physical processes regulating star formation. The contract does not have a set-aside designation and is scheduled to be completed by January 31, 2022.

We are proposing a comprehensive program to study the link between galactic magnetic fields and star formation. After decades of study, the physical processes regulating star formation still remain poorly understood. Large-scale observations of star forming regions provide counts of the number of dense clouds each of which will eventually evolve into tens to hundreds of STARS. However, when simple models of gravitational collapse are applied to the clouds they yield a galactic star formation rate (SFR) which is many times what is actually observed. Some process or combination of processes must be slowing the collapse of the clouds. The two prevailing theories involve turbulence which prevents the effective dissipation of energy and galactic magnetic fields which are captured and squeezed by the collapsing cloud provide a mechanism for mechanical support. Understanding these effects fits very well the SMD 2010 science plan's cosmic origins program. The balloon-borne large aperture telescope - blast was originally designed to conduct confusion-limited and wide-area extragalactic and galactic surveys at submillimeter wavelengths from a long-duration balloon (LOB) platform. These wavelengths are impossible or very difficult to observe from even the best ground-based telescope sites. After a series of successful flights (FT. Sumner 2003, sweden 2005, and antarctica 2006) resulting in over 25 publications, blast was converted to blastpol. The combination of a polarizing grid in front of each of the 266 feed horns at 250, 350 and 500 micron with a stepped half wave plate (HWP) provided a quick and inexpensive way to make initial measurements of polarized dust emission in star forming regions. By mapping polarization from dust grains aligned with respect to their local magnetic field, the field orientation (projected on the sky) can be traced. The development of the next generation blastpol instrument is now complete. IT has increased spatial resolution (22 arcseconds at 250 microns), four times the field of view (340 square arcminutes) and 12 times the mapping speed of the previous instrument. The focus of this three year proposal is to fly blastpol, make deep maps of star forming regions with sizes ranging from 0.25 to 20 square degrees, and to probe galactic dust as a foreground for future cosmic microwave background experiments. This work also includes an extensive data analysis phase.