The polarization of the far-infrared radiation from the Galactic center

M. W. Werner, J. A. Davidson, M. Morris, G. Novak, S. R. Platt, R. H. Hildebrand

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)729-734
JournalThe Astrophysical Journal
Volume333
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 1988

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far infrared radiation
infrared radiation
polarization
dust
galactic nuclei
polarized radiation
linear polarization
scattering
magnetic field
rings
radiation
configurations
magnetic fields

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Werner, M. W., Davidson, J. A., Morris, M., Novak, G., Platt, S. R., & Hildebrand, R. H. (1988). The polarization of the far-infrared radiation from the Galactic center. The Astrophysical Journal, 333, 729-734. https://doi.org/10.1086/166781
Werner, M. W. ; Davidson, J. A. ; Morris, M. ; Novak, G. ; Platt, S. R. ; Hildebrand, R. H. / The polarization of the far-infrared radiation from the Galactic center. In: The Astrophysical Journal. 1988 ; Vol. 333. pp. 729-734.
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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.",
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Werner, MW, Davidson, JA, Morris, M, Novak, G, Platt, SR & Hildebrand, RH 1988, 'The polarization of the far-infrared radiation from the Galactic center' The Astrophysical Journal, vol. 333, pp. 729-734. https://doi.org/10.1086/166781

The polarization of the far-infrared radiation from the Galactic center. / Werner, M. W.; Davidson, J. A.; Morris, M.; Novak, G.; Platt, S. R.; Hildebrand, R. H.

In: The Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 333, 01.10.1988, p. 729-734.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

TY - JOUR

T1 - The polarization of the far-infrared radiation from the Galactic center

AU - Werner, M. W.

AU - Davidson, J. A.

AU - Morris, M.

AU - Novak, G.

AU - Platt, S. R.

AU - Hildebrand, R. H.

PY - 1988/10/1

Y1 - 1988/10/1

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Cosmic Dust

KW - Far Infrared Radiation

KW - Galactic Nuclei

KW - Infrared Sources (Astronomy)

KW - Linear Polarization

KW - Thermal Emission

KW - H Ii Regions

KW - Interstellar Magnetic Fields

KW - Interstellar Matter

KW - Star Clusters

U2 - 10.1086/166781

DO - 10.1086/166781

M3 - Article

VL - 333

SP - 729

EP - 734

JO - The Astrophysical Journal

JF - The Astrophysical Journal

SN - 0004-637X

ER -

Werner MW, Davidson JA, Morris M, Novak G, Platt SR, Hildebrand RH. The polarization of the far-infrared radiation from the Galactic center. The Astrophysical Journal. 1988 Oct 1;333:729-734. https://doi.org/10.1086/166781

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