Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 1991
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991mnras.252p..12s&link_type=abstract
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (ISSN 0035-8711), vol. 252, Sept. 1, 1991, p. 12P-16P. Research supported by S
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
41
Emission Spectra, Galactic Radiation, H Alpha Line, Infrared Radiation, Starburst Galaxies, Astronomical Maps, Filaments, Linear Polarization, Polarized Light
Scientific paper
A linear polarization map of the starburst galaxy M82, obtained in the light of monochromatic H-alpha, is presented. Polarization levels, about 10-30 percent, are observed throughout the filamentary system and the centro-symmetric pattern formed by the polarization vectors demonstrates that the emission-line filaments are part of a huge bipolar reflection nebula. The circular symmetry of the polarization pattern requires a central illuminating source (not more than 4-arcsec diameter) which, due to light travel-time arguments, must have dominated the H-alpha emission of the galaxy for at least 5000 yr. This source is located in a small active zone within the central starburst region very close to the strong radio source 41.9 + 58 and the center of the IR emission longward of 10 microns. The present observation that the filaments show up in polarized light implies that they must be due, at least in part, to illumination effects.
Axon David J.
Eaton N.
Scarrott S. M.
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