Abstract
The first detection of linear polarization of the far-infrared
(100-micron) radiation from the about 3-pc-diameter dust ring
surrounding the galactic nucleus is reported. The percentage of
polarization is between 1 and 2 percent at the three measured positions.
It is argued that the polarized radiation is produced by thermal
emission from elongated interstellar grains oriented by the local
magnetic field. The dust ring is optically thin at 100 microns;
therefore the observations sample dust through the entire depth of the
cloud and are free of confusing effects due to embedded sources,
scattering, or selective absorption. These data provide the first
information about the configuration of the magnetic field in the dust
ring.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 729-734 |
Journal | The Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 333 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 1988 |