Galactic Free-free and H-alpha Emission

Abstract

This document provides a brief summary estimate of Galactic free-free emission and H-alpha emission and their relationship. Particular emphasis is placed on estimating the potential free-free emission in the region of significant confusion for CMB anisotropy measurements. Existing x-ray, ultraviolet and H$\alpha$ emission provide limits on the radio free-free emission and vice versa. These limits are generally somewhat smaller than the observed ``free-free'' (signal proportional to frequency^{-2.15}) microwave signal. If this remains true, then some previously neglected source may be present. Physics argues that H-alpha emission is still the best tracer for Galactic free-free emission and thus a tool for diagnosing if there is a previously neglected emssion source.

10 pages including 3 figures