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Far-infrared diffuse emission - Cosecant b law and galaxy counts

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166152· OSTI ID:7251476
The IRAS diffuse emission data at 60 and 100 microns and the Lick Observatory galaxy counts are used here to study the large-scale distribution of interstellar dust at high Galactic latitudes, the isotropic component of diffuse emission, and the spectral behavior of the absorption coefficient in the far-IR. The results confirm the existence of the cosecant b law of Galactic far-IR emission. The isotropic component of diffuse emission is found to be comparable to the instrumental offset uncertainty at 100 microns. Therefore, the cosecant b law can provide an alternative local explanation for the extragalactic background claimed by Rowan-Robinson (1986). Assuming the IR absorption efficiency spectral index lying in the range one to two, a dust temperature in the range 22-25 K is found, in agreement with previous estimates. 20 references.
Research Organization:
Roma I Universita, Rome (Italy)
OSTI ID:
7251476
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 326; ISSN ASJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English