Premium
A possible cause of the noncircular pattern of the linear polarization in some (bipolar) reflection nebulae
Author(s) -
Notni P.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
astronomische nachrichten
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.394
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1521-3994
pISSN - 0004-6337
DOI - 10.1002/asna.2113060502
Subject(s) - reflection nebula , physics , polarization (electrochemistry) , scattering , optics , linear polarization , nebula , planetary nebula , reflection (computer programming) , astrophysics , extinction (optical mineralogy) , circular polarization , laser , stars , chemistry , computer science , programming language , microstrip
The scattering of linearly polarized light in reflection nebulae is investigated. The distortion of the centrosymmetric pattern of the polarization vectors is calculated; it is found the linear polarization of the illuminating source in an optically thin nebula leads to an “elliptical” pattern. If foreward scattering angles are strongly favoured, for instance if the nebula is optically moderately thick and light from higher scattering angles is suppressed by extinction, arrays of nearly parallel polarizations may arise. In addition, circular polarisation will always occure. – Both pattern types have been observed in bipolar nebulae. We consider it probable that the investigated mechanism is, at least in part, responsible for these patterns. Detailed modelling of concrete cases is required to finally test whether the proposed mechanism is at work.