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Polarized thermal emission from dust in a galaxy at redshift 2.6

Author

Listed:
  • J. E. Geach

    (University of Hertfordshire)

  • E. Lopez-Rodriguez

    (Stanford University)

  • M. J. Doherty

    (University of Hertfordshire)

  • Jianhang Chen

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • R. J. Ivison

    (European Southern Observatory
    Macquarie University
    Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
    University of Edinburgh)

  • G. J. Bendo

    (The University of Manchester)

  • S. Dye

    (University of Nottingham)

  • K. E. K. Coppin

    (University of Hertfordshire)

Abstract

Magnetic fields are fundamental to the evolution of galaxies, playing a key role in the astrophysics of the interstellar medium and star formation. Large-scale ordered magnetic fields have been mapped in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies1,2, but it is not known how early in the Universe such structures formed3. Here we report the detection of linearly polarized thermal emission from dust grains in a strongly lensed, intrinsically luminous galaxy that is forming stars at a rate more than 1,000 times that of the Milky Way at redshift 2.6, within 2.5 Gyr of the Big Bang4,5. The polarized emission arises from the alignment of dust grains with the local magnetic field6,7. The median polarization fraction is of the order of 1%, similar to nearby spiral galaxies8. Our observations support the presence of a 5-kiloparsec-scale ordered magnetic field with a strength of around 500 μG or lower, oriented parallel to the molecular gas disk. This confirms that such structures can be rapidly formed in galaxies, early in cosmic history.

Suggested Citation

  • J. E. Geach & E. Lopez-Rodriguez & M. J. Doherty & Jianhang Chen & R. J. Ivison & G. J. Bendo & S. Dye & K. E. K. Coppin, 2023. "Polarized thermal emission from dust in a galaxy at redshift 2.6," Nature, Nature, vol. 621(7979), pages 483-486, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:621:y:2023:i:7979:d:10.1038_s41586-023-06346-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06346-4
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