UBC Okanagan Researchers Map Milky Way's Complex Magnetic Field

On January 29, 2026, a research team led by the University of British Columbia Okanagan produced the first broadband map of the Milky Way's magnetic field using Faraday rotation measurements. The study revealed intricate and unexpected complexity in the galaxy's magnetic structures, providing new insights into galactic evolution. The research involved collaboration with the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Penticton, Canada, and included scientists such as Dr. Alex Hill, Dr. Anna Ordog, Dr. Tom Landecker, and Rebecca Booth from the University of Calgary. This groundbreaking survey was published on the same day, highlighting the detailed magnetic field mapping of the Milky Way.