Extragalactic Magnetism with SOFIA (Legacy Program). I. The Magnetic Field in the Multiphase Interstellar Medium of M51 ^*

The recent availability of high-resolution far-infrared (FIR) polarization observations galaxies using HAWC+/SOFIA has facilitated studies extragalactic magnetic fields in the cold and dense molecular disks. We investigate whether any significant structural differences are detectable kiloparsec-scale field grand design face-on spiral galaxy M51 when traced within diffuse (radio) interstellar medium (ISM). Our analysis reveals a complex scenario where radio FIR do not necessarily trace same structure. find that arms is wrapped tighter at 154 ?m than 3 6 cm; statistically lower values for pitch angle measured outskirts (R ? 7 kpc) galaxy. This difference detected interarm region. strong correlations fraction total intensity with gas column density 12CO(1–0) velocity dispersion. conclude show relative increase small-scale turbulent B-fields regions increasing dispersion velocities gas. No found H i neutral star formation rate shows clear correlation polarized intensity, which FIR, pointing to dynamo-driven B-field amplification scenario. work multiwavelength key disentangling interlocked relation between formation, fields, kinematics multiphase ISM.