Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 1981
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1981apj...245..871j&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, vol. 245, May 1, 1981, p. 871-879. Research supported by the University of Washington
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
28
Infrared Astronomy, Interstellar Matter, Orion Nebula, Polarization (Waves), Shock Waves, Alignment, Interplanetary Dust, Molecular Clouds, Polarimetry, Radiative Transfer
Scientific paper
New infrared polarimetry of the Orion Nebula is presented including circular polarimetry of the Becklin-Neugebauer object (BN) from 1.6 microns to 3.1 microns and linear polarimetry of the Kleinmann-Low Nebula (KL) and IRS-2 at 2.2 microns. The polarization is attributed to the effect of aligned, aspherical grains in KL. A model of the wavelength and spatial dependences of linear and circular polarization of KL and BN is developed, based on the radiative transfer of infrared radiation through a centrally heated cloud of aligned dust grains. The degree of grain alignment necessary to produce the observed polarization of BN is not adequately explained by the Davis-Greenstein model of grain alignment because of the near equality of the gas and grain temperatures in the nebula. The most likely candidate among alternative theories is the Purcell pinwheel alignment mechanism, driven by hydrogen recombination on the surfaces of grains. It is hypothesized that a shock provides the atomic hydrogen abundance necessary to excite this process.
Johnson Paul E.
Kemp James C.
Lebofsky Marcia J.
Rieke George H.
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