The Pleiades cluster. I. Polarization and reddening of the brighter stars.
Abstract
New linear polarization values have been measured for the bright Pleiades stars at an accuracy level of 0.0001. Suspicions in the literature concerning a high incidence of intrinsic polarization are not confirmed. Multiple measurements show no (or very little) evidence for polarization variability. The critical polarization/extinction ratio is compatible with an interstellar origin, while any unusual individual values are not statistically significant. The average ratio of blue to visual polarization is also consistent with an interstellar origin of polarization. Despite the small size of the polarization values, an excellent agreement with the average values measured by Markkanen (1977) is found.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- August 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984A&A...137..145B
- Keywords:
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- Interstellar Extinction;
- Pleiades Cluster;
- Polarimetry;
- Star Clusters;
- Stellar Radiation;
- Linear Polarization;
- Variability;
- Astronomy