Polarimetry of Star Forming Regions with HAWC+: SOFIA's Important Role

Polarimetry at a variety of wavelengths and scales has become a most important diagnostic in understanding the role that magnetic fields play in the star formation process. SOFIA offers two unique perspectives. First, polarimetry from 50-240 microns probes warmer regions of the molecular cloud than do the various 850 micron ground-based polarimeters.ALMA polarimetry of the smallest spatial scales complements these FIR observations. Second, with the recent advent of tracing magnetic fields with velocity gradients generated via strong turbulence perpendicular tothe magnetic field, SOFIA offers the parallel opportunity of observing velocity gradients in the same star forming clouds with GREAT.