The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Astronomical Sciences awarded a $420,110 Project Grant to the University of Wisconsin - Madison to "Explore Magnetic Fields on the Largest Scales." The 3-year award, beginning September 1, 2023, will fund research to develop a new "Gradient Technique" to map magnetic field directions in galaxy cluster "megahalos" - massive magnetic fields spanning millions of light years. The research aims to (1) test theories of the origin of these large-scale magnetic fields and (2) understand their role in particle acceleration and galaxy cluster structure formation. Numerical simulations and comparisons to observational data from X-ray and radio telescopes will be used to refine the new magnetic field mapping technique. The project will provide training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, and engage in high school outreach. This award aligns with the NSF's Mathematical and Physical Sciences (CFDA 47.049) program to advance fundamental scientific understanding.
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