Next-generation spectro-polarimetric broadband surveys will probe cosmic magnetic fields in unprecedented detail, using the magneto-optical effect known as Faraday rotation. However, non-parametric methods such as RMCLEAN can introduce non-observable linearly polarised flux into a fitted model at negative wavelengths squared. This leads to Faraday rotation structures that are consistent with the observed data, but would be impossible or difficult to measure. We construct a convex non-parametric QU-fitting algorithm to constrain the flux at negative wavelengths squared to be zero. This allows the algorithm to recover structures that are limited in complexity to the observable region in wavelength squared. We verify this approach on simulated broadband data sets where we show that it has a lower root mean square error and that it can change the scientific conclusions for real observations. We advise using this prior in next-generation broadband surveys that aim to uncover complex Faraday depth structures. We provide a public Python implementation of the algorithm at https://github.com/Luke-Pratley/Faraday-Dreams.

The remnant phase of a radio galaxy begins when the jets launched from an active galactic nucleus are switched off. To study the fraction of radio galaxies in a remnant phase, we take advantage of a $8.31$ deg$^2$ subregion of the GAMA 23 field which comprises of surveys covering the frequency range 0.1–9 GHz. We present a sample of 104 radio galaxies compiled from observations conducted by the Murchison Widefield Array (216 MHz), the Australia Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (887 MHz), and the Australia Telescope Compact Array (5.5 GHz). We adopt an ‘absent radio core’ criterion to identify 10 radio galaxies showing no evidence for an active nucleus. We classify these as new candidate remnant radio galaxies. Seven of these objects still display compact emitting regions within the lobes at 5.5 GHz; at this frequency the emission is short-lived, implying a recent jet switch off. On the other hand, only three show evidence of aged lobe plasma by the presence of an ultra-steep-spectrum ($\alpha<-1.2$) and a diffuse, low surface brightness radio morphology. The predominant fraction of young remnants is consistent with a rapid fading during the remnant phase. Within our sample of radio galaxies, our observations constrain the remnant fraction to $4\%\lesssim f_{\mathrm{rem}} \lesssim 10\%$; the lower limit comes from the limiting case in which all remnant candidates with hotspots are simply active radio galaxies with faint, undetected radio cores. Finally, we model the synchrotron spectrum arising from a hotspot to show they can persist for 5–10 Myr at 5.5 GHz after the jets switch of—radio emission arising from such hotspots can therefore be expected in an appreciable fraction of genuine remnants.

One of the five key science projects for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is “The Origin and Evolution of Cosmic Magnetism”, in which radio polarimetry will be used to reveal what cosmic magnets look like and what role they have played in the evolving Universe. Many of the SKA prototypes now being built are also targeting magnetic fields and polarimetry as key science areas. Here I review the prospects for innovative new polarimetry and Faraday rotation experiments with forthcoming facilities such as ASKAP, LOFAR, the ATA, the EVLA, and ultimately the SKA. Sensitive wide-field polarisation surveys with these telescopes will provide a dramatic new view of magnetic fields in the Milky Way, in nearby galaxies and clusters, and in the high-redshift Universe.

Radio continuum emission from the supernova remnant G296.5 + 10.0 was observed using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. Using a 104 MHz bandwidth split into 13 × 8 MHz spectral channels, it was possible to produce a pixel-by-pixel image of Rotation Measure (RM) across the entire remnant. A lack of correlation between RM and X-ray surface brightness reveals that the RMs originate from outside the remnant. Using this information, we will characterise the smooth component of the magnetic field within the supernova remnant and attempt to probe the magneto-ionic structure and turbulent scale sizes in the ISM and galactic halo along the line-of-sight.

The Square Kilometre Array SKA is intended to be the centimeter- and meter-wavelength telescope for the 21st century. At long wavelengths, the SKA's key science projects include the search for highly redshifted hydrogen, including the signal from the epoch of re-ionization, and the search for the first supermassive black holes.

We have observed the supernova remnants G16.7+0.1 and G29.7−0.3 at millimeter wavelengths with the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association array, measuring total flux densities of the pulsar wind nebulae in the remnants. Our results imply a break at ∼50 GHz in the spectrum of the PWN in G29.7−0.3, lower than previously estimated. The PWN in G16.7+0.1 either has a break < 100 GHz, or a steep radio spectrum.

In the radio band, supernova remnants (SNRs) and pulsars are best identified at low frequencies due to their steep spectrA. Motivated by this fact, we have carried out a deep 330-MHz observation of M31 using the VLA. Achieving a sensitivity of 0.6 mJy at 6″ resolution over the entire optical disk of M31, we identified 405 distinct radio sources. While most of these are unresolved background radio galaxies, we found five SNR candidates, three pulsar wind nebula (PWN) candidates, and three pulsar candidates in our source list. The properties of these sources are discussed.

The Crab Nebula demonstrates that neutron stars can interact with their environments in spectacular fashion, their relativistic winds generating nebulae observable across the electromagnetic spectrum. At many previous conferences, astronomers have discussed, debated and puzzled over the complicated structures seen in the Crab, but have been limited to treating most other pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) as simple calorimeters for a pulsar's spin-down energy. However, with the wealth of high-quality data which have now become available, this situation has changed dramatically. I here review some of the main observational themes which have emerged from these new measurements. Highlights include the ubiquity of pulsar termination shocks, the unambiguous presence of relativistic jets in PWNe, complicated time variability seen in PWN structures, and the use of bow shocks to probe the interaction of pulsar winds with the ambient medium.

With sub-arcsecond angular resolution accompanied by fast time resolution and spatially resolved spectral capabilities, the Chandra X-ray Observatory provides a unique capability for the study of supernova remnants (SNRs) and pulsars. Though in its relative infancy, Chandra has already returned stunning images of SNRs which reveal the distribution of ejecta synthesized in the stellar explosions, the distinct properties of the forward and reverse shocks, and the presence of faint shells surrounding compact remnants. Pulsar observations have uncovered jet features as well as small-scaled structures in synchrotron nebulae. In this brief review we discuss results from early Chandra studies of pulsars and SNRs.