Linear polarization maps of bipolar and cometary nebulae: a polarized source interpretation
Open Access
- 1 September 1991
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Vol. 252 (1) , 138-150
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/252.1.138
Abstract
A simple model of a polarized source is used to produce intensity isophotes and linear polarization maps simulating the scattering of light in bipolar nebulae. The results indicate that features such as polarization null points and bands of parallel vectors can be explained in terms of a polarized source without recourse to aligned grains. The particular case of the reflection nebula NGC 2261 is considered in detail and it is shown how the model can account for the observed variability in the polarization of this object.Keywords
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