Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-12-21
Astrophys.J.702:L77-L81,2009
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
5 pages, ApJL accepted
Scientific paper
10.1088/0004-637X/702/1/L77
A photon of wavelength lambda ~1 micron interacting with a dust grain of radius a_p ~ 1 mm (a "pebble") undergoes scattering in the forward direction, largely within a small characteristic diffraction angle theta_s ~ lambda/a_p ~ 100". Though mm-size dust grains contribute negligibly to the interstellar medium's visual extinction, the signal they produce in scattered light may be detectable, especially for variable sources. Observations of light scattered at small angles allows for the direct measurement of the large grain population; variable sources can also yield tomographic information of the interstellar medium's mass distribution. The ability to detect brilliant pebble halos require a careful understanding of the instrument PSF.
Draine Bruce T.
Socrates Aristotle
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