The far-infrared polarization of the orion nebula

D. P. Gonatas; G. A. Engargiola; R. H. Hildebrand; S. R. Platt; X. D. Wu; J. A. Davidson; G. Novak; D. K. Aitken; C. Smith

doi:10.1086/168898

The far-infrared polarization of the orion nebula

D. P. Gonatas^*, G. A. Engargiola, R. H. Hildebrand, S. R. Platt, X. D. Wu, J. A. Davidson, G. Novak, D. K. Aitken, C. Smith

^*Corresponding author for this work

Physics and Astronomy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have measured polarization of the 100 μm thermal emission from 10 points in the Orion nebula. At one of the positions the degree, 5.7%, is the largest far-infrared polarization yet discovered. Except at a position in the barlike structure to the south, the position angles of the polarization vectors are well-ordered, suggesting that a uniform magnetic field threads the cloud. We estimate the magnetic field strength to be between 0.7 and 4 mG. We discuss the relationship of the degrees of polarization to the physical conditions in the cloud.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	132-137
Number of pages	6
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	357
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/168898
State	Published - Jul 1 1990

Keywords

Interstellar: magnetic fields
Nebulae: Orion nebula
Polarization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1086/168898

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title = "The far-infrared polarization of the orion nebula",

abstract = "We have measured polarization of the 100 μm thermal emission from 10 points in the Orion nebula. At one of the positions the degree, 5.7%, is the largest far-infrared polarization yet discovered. Except at a position in the barlike structure to the south, the position angles of the polarization vectors are well-ordered, suggesting that a uniform magnetic field threads the cloud. We estimate the magnetic field strength to be between 0.7 and 4 mG. We discuss the relationship of the degrees of polarization to the physical conditions in the cloud.",

keywords = "Interstellar: magnetic fields, Nebulae: Orion nebula, Polarization",

author = "Gonatas, {D. P.} and Engargiola, {G. A.} and Hildebrand, {R. H.} and Platt, {S. R.} and Wu, {X. D.} and Davidson, {J. A.} and G. Novak and Aitken, {D. K.} and C. Smith",

year = "1990",

month = jul,

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doi = "10.1086/168898",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "357",

pages = "132--137",

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T1 - The far-infrared polarization of the orion nebula

AU - Gonatas, D. P.

AU - Engargiola, G. A.

AU - Hildebrand, R. H.

AU - Platt, S. R.

AU - Wu, X. D.

AU - Davidson, J. A.

AU - Novak, G.

AU - Aitken, D. K.

AU - Smith, C.

PY - 1990/7/1

Y1 - 1990/7/1

N2 - We have measured polarization of the 100 μm thermal emission from 10 points in the Orion nebula. At one of the positions the degree, 5.7%, is the largest far-infrared polarization yet discovered. Except at a position in the barlike structure to the south, the position angles of the polarization vectors are well-ordered, suggesting that a uniform magnetic field threads the cloud. We estimate the magnetic field strength to be between 0.7 and 4 mG. We discuss the relationship of the degrees of polarization to the physical conditions in the cloud.

AB - We have measured polarization of the 100 μm thermal emission from 10 points in the Orion nebula. At one of the positions the degree, 5.7%, is the largest far-infrared polarization yet discovered. Except at a position in the barlike structure to the south, the position angles of the polarization vectors are well-ordered, suggesting that a uniform magnetic field threads the cloud. We estimate the magnetic field strength to be between 0.7 and 4 mG. We discuss the relationship of the degrees of polarization to the physical conditions in the cloud.

KW - Interstellar: magnetic fields

KW - Nebulae: Orion nebula

KW - Polarization

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U2 - 10.1086/168898

DO - 10.1086/168898

M3 - Article

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VL - 357

SP - 132

EP - 137

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 1

ER -

The far-infrared polarization of the orion nebula

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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