Foreground: Polarized Synchrotron Spectral Index

Coordinate System:
Galactic
Projection Type:
HEALPix, nested, res 4 (Nside=16)
Resolution:
3.5 °
Original Data Source:
Weiland et al. (2022)
Download Links:
fg_pol_synch_spindex_get.html

Weiland et al. (2022) performed a combined analysis of observational data at 1.4, 2.3, 23, and 33 GHz to quantify the spatial variation of the polarized synchrotron spectral index on 3.5° scales. Data quality masking leaves 44% sky coverage (73% for Galactic latitudes |b| > 45°).

The FITS binary table formatted file contains three fields:

(1) the derived map of the polarized synchrotron spectral index, (2) its uncertainty, and (3) a numerically coded mask indicating which frequencies were used to compute the spectral index for each pixel. The numerical coding values are documented in the FITS header.

More details can be found in:

  • Polarized Synchrotron Foreground Assessment for CMB Experiments Weiland et al. (2022)

    • A service of the HEASARC and of the Astrophysics Science Division at NASA/GSFC
    Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    HEASARC Director: Dr. Alan P. Smale
    LAMBDA Director: Dr. Thomas M. Essinger-Hileman
    NASA Official: Dr. Thomas M. Essinger-Hileman
    Web Curator: Mr. Michael R. Greason