Observability of circularly polarized optical radiation from certain cosmic objects

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · Sov. Astron. AJ (Engl. Transl.), v. 16, no. 6, pp. 976-979

OSTI ID:4382270

Gnedin, Yu N; Dolginov, A Z; Silant'ev, N A

Translated from Astron. Zh.; 49: No. 6, 1205-1210(1972). Circular polarization and oscillations in the plane of linear polarization ( Faraday pulsations'') can arise when radiation passes through an anisotropic dust medium, provided that the direction of preferential vibration of the electric vector of the incident radiation forms an angle different from zero at pi /2 with the plane containing the line of sight and the direction of orientation of the scattering medium. A comparison between the observed and computed circular polarization of the optical radiation of the Crab Nebula indicates that the interstellar dust is aligned at an angle of about 18 deg relative to the galactic plane. There are several types of galactic and extragalactic objects which might exhibit appreciable circular polarization and Faraday pulsations in the plane of vibration of the electric vector. (auth)

• Research Organization: Ioffe Inst. of Physics and Tech., Leningrad
• NSA Number: NSA-29-005923
• OSTI ID: 4382270
• Journal Information: Sov. Astron. AJ (Engl. Transl.), v. 16, no. 6, pp. 976-979, Journal Name: Sov. Astron. AJ (Engl. Transl.), v. 16, no. 6, pp. 976-979; ISSN SAAJA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*CRAB NEBULA-- POLARIZATION
*GALAXIES-- POLARIZATION
*INTERSTELLAR GRAINS-- SCATTERING
*STARS-- POLARIZATION
N56500* --Physics (Astrophysics & Cosmology)--Galaxies
VISIBLE RADIATION