Dust in the Small Magellanic Cloud
Abstract
We discuss simultaneous dust model fits to our extinction and polarization data for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using existing dust models. Dust model fits to the wavelength dependent polarization are possible for stars with small lambdamax. They generally imply size distributions which are narrower and have smaller average sizes compared to those in the Galaxy. The best fits for the extinction curves are obtained with a power law size distribution. The typical, monotonic SMC extinction curve can be well fit with graphite and silicate grains if a small fraction of the SMC carbon is locked up in the grains. Amorphous carbon and silicate grains also fit the data well.
- Publication:
-
Technical Report
- Pub Date:
- January 1995
- Bibcode:
- 1995spub.reptQ....R
- Keywords:
-
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Cosmic Dust;
- Polarization (Waves);
- Interstellar Extinction;
- Astronomical Models;
- Particle Size Distribution;
- Carbon;
- Graphite;
- Silicates;
- Grain Size;
- Astrophysics