The relation between optical extinction and hydrogen column density in the Galaxy
Abstract
A linear relation between the hydrogen column density (NH) and optical extinction (AV) in the Galaxy has long been observed. A number of studies found differing results in the slope of this relation. Here, we utilize the data on 22 supernova remnants that have been observed with the latest generation X-ray observatories and for which optical extinction and/or reddening measurements have been performed and find NH (cm-2) = (2.21 +/- 0.09) × 1021AV (mag). We compare our result with the previous studies and assess any systematic uncertainties that may affect these results.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2009.15598.x
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0903.2057
- Bibcode:
- 2009MNRAS.400.2050G
- Keywords:
-
- dust;
- extinction;
- supernova remnants;
- X-rays: ISM;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- to be published in MNRAS