Intrinsic polarization of faint members of the Pleiades.
Abstract
A preliminary polarimetric study of the Pleiades shows that a number of faint Pleiades stars are intrinsically polarized. This is revealed by the fact that the polarization, contrary to that found for the interstellar medium, is largest in the ultraviolet. It is pointed out that neither faint nonmembers nor bright members show this effect, which is observed in faint members both above and below the main sequence. The significance of the observations is discussed. It is concluded that the alignment of the circumstellar material is closely allied to the alignment of the nebular material. The implications of this phenomenon for stellar formation are considered.
- Publication:
-
Memorie della Societa Astronomica Italiana
- Pub Date:
- May 1974
- Bibcode:
- 1974MmSAI..45..445C
- Keywords:
-
- Main Sequence Stars;
- Pleiades Cluster;
- Polarized Light;
- Star Clusters;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Nebulae;
- Polarimeters;
- Stellar Spectra;
- Ultraviolet Radiation;
- Astrophysics