Abstract
“And what about magnetic fields?” This is likely the most frequent question in conferences that address any non-thermal phenomena of our Universe. From Galactic to Extra-galactic scales, the origin and amplification of magnetic fields is yet something we have to assume, based on a paucity of data and limits. Of particular relevance to a vast number of physical processes is how magnetic fields are amplified during the process of structure formation, that culminates in the formation of galaxy clusters. Recent discoveries have probed that magnetic fields permeate our Universe beyond the virial radii of clusters, up to intergalactic filaments. How these magnetic fields originate and how are they amplified are yet unanswered questions. We are entering exciting times for the study of the magnetized Universe, thanks to the development of large radio interferometric arrays, such as LOFAR2.0, MeerKAT, MeerKAT+, and ASKAP, that pave the path towards the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO). In the very next years, deep polarimetric and continuum radio data will blossom, giving us the unprecedented opportunity to discover the process of magnetic field amplification in the large-scale structure. However, it is only with the development of ad-hoc techniques and under a coordinated project which undertakes the many facets of this ambitious goal, that we can exploit this opportunity and unravel the origin and evolution of magnetic fields in clusters. BELOVED takes advantage of up-coming data, coupled with innovative strategies and the PI profile to unravel the processes of magnetic field amplification in galaxy clusters. This project will address fundamental questions not restricted to the physics of galaxy clusters but having impact on several inter-connected physical disciplines, such as astro-particle physics, plasma physics, and cosmology.
Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Annalisa Bonafede
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Augusto Righi"
Coordinator:
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna(Italy)
Total Eu Contribution: Euro (EUR) 1.856.133,00
Project Duration in months: 60
Start Date:
01/05/2025
End Date:
30/04/2030
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101169773