Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union: Studying Magnetic
  Field Amplification in Interacting Galaxies Using Numerical Simulations
  There are indications that the magnetic field evolution in galaxies might be
massively shaped by tidal interactions and mergers between galaxies. The
details of the connection between the evolution of magnetic fields and that of
their host galaxies is still a field of research. We use a combined approach of
magnetohydrodynamics for the baryons and an N-body scheme for the dark matter
to investigate magnetic field amplification and evolution in interacting
galaxies. We find that, for two colliding equal-mass galaxies and for varying
initial relative spatial orientations, magnetic fields are amplified during
interactions, yet cannot be sustained. Furthermore, we find clues for an active
mean-field dynamo.
