Constraining Galactic Magnetic Field Models with Starlight Polarimetry
arXiv:1107.2415 · doi:10.1088/0004-637X/740/1/21
Abstract
This paper provides testable predictions about starlight polarizations to constrain the geometry of the Galactic magnetic field, in particular the nature of the poloidal component. Galactic dynamo simulations and Galactic dust distributions from the literature are combined with a Stokes radiative transfer model to predict the observed polarizations and position angles of near-infrared starlight, assuming the light is polarized by aligned anisotropic dust grains. S0 and A0 magnetic field models and the role of magnetic pitch angle are all examined. All-sky predictions are made, and particular directions are identified as providing diagnostic power for discriminating among the models. Cumulative distribution functions of the normalized degree of polarization and plots of polarization position angle vs. Galactic latitude are proposed as tools for testing models against observations.
58 pages, 31 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ
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- Practical Modeling of Large-Scale Galactic Magnetic Fields: Status and Prospects
- Cosmic Magnetism in Centimeter and Meter Wavelength Radio Astronomy
- HII Region Driven Galactic Bubbles and Their Relationship to the Galactic Magnetic Field
- Using Red Clump Stars to Decompose the Galactic Magnetic Field with Distance
- Testing Galactic Magnetic Field Models using Near-Infrared Polarimetry
- The Spherically Symmetric Gravitational Collapse of a Clump of Solids in a Gas
- Near-infrared polarimetry of a normal spiral galaxy viewed through the Taurus Molecular Cloud Complex
- The magnetic field of the Radcliffe Wave: starlight polarization at nearest approach to the Sun