Magnetic Fields and Polarized Emission from Selected Environments
Abstract
Measurements of polarized emission from molecular clouds have provided maps of magnetic fields as projected on the sky. The polarization spectrum has given evidence for multiple cloud components in which dust grains at different temperatures have different polarizing efficiencies. With improvements in angular resolution and with additional choices of wavelength, it is becoming possible to make observations in selected environments such as dense clumps, clusters of embedded stars, and regions of high column densities. These observations provide improved cloud models and also provide tests of grain alignment mechanisms such as alignment by radiative torques. Measurements of field dispersion, as applied to studies of field strengths or turbulence, require high angular resolution, and accurate position angle measurements at very many points. The possibilities for such measurements, especially in the range ∼ 50-200 mum, will be greatly enhanced when SOFIA is equipped with a high-performance far-infrared polarimeter.
- Publication:
-
Revista Mexicana de Astronomia y Astrofisica Conference Series
- Pub Date:
- August 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009RMxAC..36..137H
- Keywords:
-
- ISM: dust;
- extinction;
- ISM: clouds;
- ISM: magnetic fields;
- polarization