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Imaging polarimetry as a diagnostic tool

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 2008

Tim M. Gledhill
Tim M. Gledhill*
Affiliation:
School of Physics, Astronomy & Mathematics, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK email: t.gledhill@herts.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Some of the earliest polarimetric measurements made in astronomy were concerned with the polarization of the interstellar medium resulting from dust grains aligned in the Galactic magnetic field. More than 50 years later, polarimetry continues to be an important diagnostic of field structure on size scales ranging from planetary to galactic. The use of both linear and circular polarimetry at optical and infrared wavelengths can provide additional insights into the nature of dust particles, their alignment in magnetic fields and the field topology. Given the science benefits that polarimetry offers it is perhaps surprising that the continued existence of polarimetric facilities on current and next generation large telescopes needs to be ensured.

Keywords

Magnetic fields – polarization – scattering – instrumentation: polarimeters
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 4 , Symposium S259: Cosmic Magnetic Fields: From Planets, to Stars and Galaxies , November 2008 , pp. 613 - 622
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2009

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