Interstellar Extinction, Polarization, and Grain Alignment in the Sh 2-185 (IC 59 and IC 63) Region
- SOFIA Science Center, USRA, NASA Ames Research Center, M.S. 232-12, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (United States)
- Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio al. 3, Vilnius, LT-10257 (Lithuania)
- Vatican Observatory Research Group, Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ 85721 (United States)
- Vatican Observatory, I-00120, Vatican City (Italy)
Optical and infrared continuum polarization from the interstellar medium is driven by radiative processes aligning the grains with the magnetic field. While a quantitative, predictive theory of radiative alignment torques (RATs) exists and has been extensively tested, several parameters of the theory remain to be fully constrained. In a recent paper, Medan & Andersson showed that the polarization efficiency (and therefore grain alignment efficiency) at different locations in the wall of the Local Bubble (LB) could be modeled as proportional to the integrated light intensity from the surrounding stars and OB associations. Here we probe that relationship at high radiation field intensities by studying the extinction and polarization in the two reflection nebulae IC 59 and IC 63 in the Sh 2-185 H ii region, illuminated by the B0 IV star γ Cassiopeia. We combine archival visual polarimetry with new seven-band photometry in the Vilnius system, to derive the polarization efficiency from the material. We find that the same linear relationship seen in the LB wall also applies to the Sh 2-185 region, strengthening the conclusion from the earlier study.
- OSTI ID:
- 23159159
- Journal Information:
- The Astronomical Journal (Online), Vol. 161, Issue 3; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1538-3881
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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