INTERSTELLAR ENVIRONMENTS AND DUST PROPERTIES TOWARD CYGNUS OB2 NO. 12: A REASSESSMENT

Whittet, D. C. B.

doi:10.1088/0004-637X/811/2/110

Title: INTERSTELLAR ENVIRONMENTS AND DUST PROPERTIES TOWARD CYGNUS OB2 NO. 12: A REASSESSMENT

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Abstract

The B-type hypergiant Cygnus OB2 no. 12 is a popular target for studies of interstellar phenomena at visible-infrared wavelengths because of its exceptional brightness for a star dimmed by some 10 mag of visual extinction. A lack of detectable ice absorption has led investigators to regard the line of sight as a standard for studies of the “diffuse” interstellar medium (ISM), an assumption challenged both by observations of molecular gas toward the star and by uncertainties concerning the degree to which such a luminous object may affect its local environment. This paper presents a reassessment of the nature of the material responsible for extinction toward Cyg OB2 no. 12. The excess relative to other cluster members appears to occur in translucent clumps within an extensive network of clouds in the region. Attenuation of the ambient radiation field is sufficient in the cores of the clumps to support the presence of gas-phase molecules, but not to sustain detectable ice formation. In general, the optical properties of dust in the clumps are closely similar to those observed in typical diffuse interstellar material, with the notable exception of an unusually low value for the wavelength of maximum polarization. The implied enhancement of polarizationmore »« less

Authors:

Whittet, D. C. B. ^[1]

Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 Eighth Street, Troy, NY 12180 (United States)

Publication Date:: Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015

OSTI Identifier:: 22525345

Resource Type:: Journal Article

Journal Name:: Astrophysical Journal

Additional Journal Information:: Journal Volume: 811; Journal Issue: 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0004-637X

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 79 ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY; ATTENUATION; BRIGHTNESS; CLOUDS; COSMIC DUST; ICE; INTERSTELLAR GRAINS; INTERSTELLAR SPACE; MAGNETIC FIELDS; MOLECULES; NITRIC OXIDE; POLARIZATION; STARS

Citation Formats


                    Whittet, D. C. B. INTERSTELLAR ENVIRONMENTS AND DUST PROPERTIES TOWARD CYGNUS OB2 NO. 12: A REASSESSMENT.  United States: N. p., 2015. 
        Web.  doi:10.1088/0004-637X/811/2/110.

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                    Whittet, D. C. B. INTERSTELLAR ENVIRONMENTS AND DUST PROPERTIES TOWARD CYGNUS OB2 NO. 12: A REASSESSMENT.  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/811/2/110

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                    Whittet, D. C. B. 2015.  
        "INTERSTELLAR ENVIRONMENTS AND DUST PROPERTIES TOWARD CYGNUS OB2 NO. 12: A REASSESSMENT".  United States.  https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/811/2/110.

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@article{osti_22525345,

  title        = {INTERSTELLAR ENVIRONMENTS AND DUST PROPERTIES TOWARD CYGNUS OB2 NO. 12: A REASSESSMENT},

  author       = {Whittet, D. C. B.},

  abstractNote = {The B-type hypergiant Cygnus OB2 no. 12 is a popular target for studies of interstellar phenomena at visible-infrared wavelengths because of its exceptional brightness for a star dimmed by some 10 mag of visual extinction. A lack of detectable ice absorption has led investigators to regard the line of sight as a standard for studies of the “diffuse” interstellar medium (ISM), an assumption challenged both by observations of molecular gas toward the star and by uncertainties concerning the degree to which such a luminous object may affect its local environment. This paper presents a reassessment of the nature of the material responsible for extinction toward Cyg OB2 no. 12. The excess relative to other cluster members appears to occur in translucent clumps within an extensive network of clouds in the region. Attenuation of the ambient radiation field is sufficient in the cores of the clumps to support the presence of gas-phase molecules, but not to sustain detectable ice formation. In general, the optical properties of dust in the clumps are closely similar to those observed in typical diffuse interstellar material, with the notable exception of an unusually low value for the wavelength of maximum polarization. The implied enhancement of polarization by small grains is attributed to increased alignment efficiency in an enhanced magnetic field. This caveat apart, the results of the current paper provide reassurance that Cyg OB2 no. 12 is, indeed, an appropriate choice for studies that target diffuse and translucent phases of the ISM.},

  doi          = {10.1088/0004-637X/811/2/110},

  url          = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22525345},
  journal      = {Astrophysical Journal},

  issn         = {0004-637X},

  number       = 2,

  volume       = 811,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015},

  month        = {Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015}

}

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