Studies of anomalous microwave emission (AME) with the SKA

Clive Dickinson, Y. Ali-Haïmoud, R. J. Beswick, S. Casassus, K. Cleary, B. T. Draine, R. Genova-Santos, K. Grainge, T. C. Hoang, A. Lazarian, E. J. Murphy, R. Paladini, M. W. Peel, Y. Perrott, J. A. Rubiño-Martin, A. Scaife, C. T. Tibbs, L. Verstraete, M. Vidal, Ra WatsonN. Ysard

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

In this chapter, we will outline the scientific motivation for studying Anomalous Microwave Emission (AME) with the SKA. AME is thought to be due to electric dipole radiation from small spinning dust grains, although thermal fluctuations of magnetic dust grains may also contribute. Studies of this mysterious component would shed light on the emission mechanism, which then opens up a new window onto the interstellar medium (ISM). AME is emitted mostly in the frequency range 10-100 GHz, and thus the SKA has the potential of measuring the low frequency side of the AME spectrum, particularly in band 5. Science targets include dense molecular clouds in the Milky Way, as well as extragalactic sources. We also discuss the possibility of detecting rotational line emission from Poly-cyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), which could be the main carriers of AME. Detecting PAH lines of a given spacing would allow for a definitive identification of specific PAH species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number124
JournalProceedings of Science
Volume9-13-June-2014
StatePublished - 2014
EventAdvancing Astrophysics with the Square Kilometre Array, AASKA 2014 - Giardini Naxos, Italy
Duration: Jun 9 2014Jun 13 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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