The Conference Web page can be found at http://www.ira.cnr.it/~magnetic/
International Conference The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Magnetism 29 August - 2 September 2005 CNR Area della Ricerca, Bologna, Italy
CONFERENCE SCIENTIFIC RATIONALE
Astronomers now have a reasonable understanding of many of the conditions and processes which connect the early Universe to the structures observed today. However, largely absent from all these models is the role of magnetic fields. Key questions relating to cosmic magnetic fields include the origin of magnetic fields in the early Universe, the connection between magnetic fields and structure formation, the evolution of magnetic fields at high redshifts, and the strength and structure of magnetic fields in the intergalactic medium. Theoretical studies are now at the point where detailed models of these processes can be developed, while observers will soon begin making definitive measurements on these problems through future radio and cosmic ray facilities.
Motivated by the recent announcement of "Cosmic Magnetism" as one of five key science projects for the Square Kilometre Array, we propose to bring together the theorists and observers working on magnetic fields to discuss and develop these issues. We hope that participants will emerge from this meeting with clear insight into the observational prospects, theoretical expectations and likely future developments for studying magnetic fields over the largest scales of space and time.
PROGRAM OF THE CONFERENCE
The program will be based on a number of invited reviews and invited presentations. A limited number of contributed talks and posters is envisaged. The number of participants is expected not to exceed about 120 people. The provisional list of topics includes:
- Theory of primordial magnetic fields
- Nucleosynthesis constraints on primordial magnetic fields
- CMB constraints on primordial magnetic fields
Role of magnetic fields in structure & galaxy formation
Quasars & jets as seed fields
Stars & supernovae as seed fields
- Dynamos and magneto-rotational instability
- Magnetic fields at high redshift and in the IGM
- Magnetic fields in galaxy clusters
- Magnetic fields and MHD turbulence in galaxy clusters
- Cosmic ray propagation in the IGM
- Cosmic ray properties and implications on their sources
- Future experiments
