A Review of Maser Polarization and Magnetic Fields

Abstract

Through polarization observations masers are unique probes of the magnetic field in a variety of different astronomical objects, with the different maser species tracing different physical conditions. In recent years maser polarization observations have provided insights in the magnetic field strength and morphology in, among others, the envelopes around evolved stars, Planetary Nebulae (PNe), massive star forming regions and supernova remnants. More recently, maser observations have even been used to determine the magnetic field in megamaser galaxies. This review will present an overview of maser polarization observations and magnetic field determinations of the last several years and discuss the implications of the magnetic field measurements for several important fields of study, such as aspherical PNe creation and massive star formation.

arXiv comment10 pages, Review paper from IAU symposium 242 "Astrophysical Masers and their Environments"

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Cited by in corpus (6)

• MAGMO: Coherent magnetic fields in the star forming regions of the Carina-Sagittarius spiral arm tangent
• Polarization of thermal molecular lines in the envelope of IK Tau
• Possible magnetic field variability during the 6.7 GHz methanol maser flares of G09.62+0.20
• OH maser toward IRAS 06056+2131: polarization parameters and evolution status
• Polarization properties of methanol masers
• Robust polarimetry via convex optimization