Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 April 2016
Observations of polarized emission and consequently the investigation of magnetic fields in northern galaxies, have been conducted successfully for some time with, for example, the 100-m Effelsberg telescope of the Max-Planck-Institut-für Radioastronomie and the VLA. However, the opportunity to make corresponding studies in the southern hemisphere has only recently become possible. Therefore, we have begun a long-range project aimed at studying the morphology and dynamics of southern galaxies using the facilities of the Parkes and Molonglo radio telescopes, the Siding Spring optical facilities and the Australia Telescope. Here we present preliminary results from Parkes observations of the three well known galaxies: NGC 253, NGC 4945 and M 83.