2-6 September 2024
CJD Bonn Castell
Europe/Berlin timezone
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Contribution

The M2FINDERS project: Mapping Magnetic Fields with INterferometry Down to Event hoRizon Scales

Speakers

  • Prof. J. Anton ZENSUS

Primary authors

Co-authors

Content

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are the most extreme sources of power in the Universe, outshining their entire host galaxies. The Event Horizon Telescope collaboration has successfully imaged supermassive black holes in M87 and SgrA* at event horizon scales, confirming theoretical predictions from general relativity. However, to determine the physical properties of these black holes, precise information about the magnetic field near the event horizon is crucial. The M2FINDERS project aims to address this challenge by mapping magnetic fields at distances smaller than a thousand gravitational radii. We will approach the problem using multi-frequency polarimetric VLBI imaging, opacity measurements, and novel image analysis and relativistic flow modelling techniques. Our plan is to place strong constraints on the magnetic field near the event horizon, providing evidence for the existence of black holes and their event horizons. Here we present progress on data analysis and interpretation.