Formation of localized strongly magnetized regions in galaxies and clusters of galaxies Original Research Article

Through three-dimensional global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, we show that localized strongly magnetized regions are created in galaxies and clusters of galaxies. We carried out simulations of (1) dynamical evolution of magnetic fields in differentially rotating disks and (2) amplification of magnetic fields through the rotation and motions of individual galaxies in clusters of galaxies. In either case, we find that even though the mean magnetic energy is smaller than the thermal energy (β =Pgas/Pmag≥ 1), magnetic pressure dominated, low-β (β ≤ 1) filaments are created. Magnetic reconnection taking place in the strongly magnetized regions heats the plasma typically up to 10 keV.