The Low-Resolution DRAO Survey of Polarized Emission at 1.4 GHz

Abstract

This thesis deals with the realization and analysis of a new polarization survey of the northern sky at a frequency of 1.4 GHz. Survey observations were carried out using the DRAO 26-m telescope and are absolutely calibrated. An initial analysis reveals previously unknown components of the polarized sky such as depolarized patches towards regions of high electron density (HII-regions), which are used to derive distance limits to the origin of polarized emission, a patch of low percentage polarization towards the first Galactic quadrant, and polarized emission at high Galactic latitudes. This survey is of interest also for the determination of foreground emission in measurements of the cosmic microwave background.