Probing distant magnetic fields with M82-type galaxies

I present the results of recent 9 mm observations of the starburst galaxy M 82 with the Effelsberg 100-m radio telescope. The magnetic fields deduced from these observations are in good agreement with previous multifrequency VLA observations. The general pattern of azimuthal magnetic fields along the disc of the galaxy and vertical fields in the central region, as seen in most nearby galaxies, is confirmed to exist also in M 82. Since the starburst galaxy M 82 is a very powerful radio source similar objects should be visible at large distances. Possibly the distant magnetic Universe could be probed by observing sources similar to M 82 with the new generation of radio telescopes. Here the ALMA telescope holds great promise for the near future. (c) 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.