Multi-Scale Analysis of Magnetic Fields in Filamentary Molecular Clouds

Using polarimetry, at both visible and submillimeter wavelengths, we propose to study the role and to compare the structure of the magnetic fields within and near filamentary molecular clouds. The optical polarization data obtained at Mont Mégantic and from the Heiles catalog constrain the large scale topology of magnetic fields in the near environment of the clouds. Submillimeter data probe the structure of the field at smaller scale within the clouds. The aim of this research is to put constraints on the way the magnetic field threading the filaments connects to larger structures in the ISM. This should help to illuminate the large scale topology of the field, which is crucial to understanding the formation of filaments and the role of magnetic fields within these structures. Two different regions have been selected for this project, OMC where star formation actively occurs and CL04/CL21 which is a cold molecular filament in the earliest stages of stellar formation.