Pulsars, accidentally discovered by Jocelyn Bell in 1968 (also nicknamed 'little green men' initially), are magnetised, rotating neutron stars emitting beams of radiation from their poles. Besides being interesting objects in the sky, they have a variety of applications: ranging from being precise clocks to detecting gravitational waves.

In this project, the student would study both the spectral and structural properties of the thermal electron density and magnetic fields in the ionised gas phase of the Milky Way (Figure shows the location of pulsars on the artist's impression of the Milky Way, with the size of the circle correlated to the average Galactic magnetic field strength along that line of sight). We would use long-time data from radio telescopes around the world with accurate and robust analysis techniques to probe the ionised gas to much smaller temporal and length scales than previously done. The results would clarify the ionised gas properties of the Milky Way on smaller scales, which in turn would help us understand the physics of turbulence in the Milky Way and its role in various Galactic processes.

For more information about this potential research topic or activity, or to discuss any related research area, please contact the supervisor.