The LOFAR Key Science Project on cosmic magnetism

The LOFAR Key Science Project on cosmic magnetism in the nearby Universe (MKSP) aims to investigate fundamental astrophysical questions which will help us to understand the origin of cosmic magnetism. Low-frequency observations trace regions of low magnetic field strengths and/or low-energy cosmic-ray electrons which both live longer and travel further from their acceleration sites. Consequently the LOFAR telescope will detect the weak halo fields of spiral and dwarf galaxies and will allow investigations of the unexplored domain of extremely weak magnetic fields via Faraday rotation to be measured with unprecedented precision. Detection of weak fields in stellar jets and in intergalactic filaments may become possible for the first time.