Polarisation Properties of Radio Sources in the MERGHERS Tier 1 Clusters

Project Description:

Magnetic fields are ubiquitous in both small-scale and large-scale objects in the universe. However, their origin and evolution is still an open topic. At the scale of galaxy clusters, magnetic fields manifest through the presence of diffuse synchrotron emission in the intracluster medium (ICM). Probing magnetic fields in the ICM is notably challenging, especially in low-density regions such as the cluster peripheries. However, one can study the polarisation properties of cluster-embedded radio sources (such as radio galaxies and relics) and background radio sources to probe magnetic field characteristics in galaxy clusters. In this project, we will use observations from the MeerKAT Exploration of Relics, Giant Halos, and Extragalactic Radio Sources survey to explore the polarisation properties of diffuse radio sources in galaxy clusters and the Faraday effect on both cluster-embedded and background radio sources.

Research Area:

Astrophysics

Project Level:

Masters

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(UKZN)

Special Requirements:

Familiarity with Python programming, radio interferometry and observational radio astronomy is advantageous but not strictly required.