Imaging polarimetry of AFGL 2591 and its associated reflection nebula

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (13) References (24) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Imaging Photometry of AFGL 2591 and Its Associated Reflection Nebula Burns, M. Shane ; Hayward, Thomas L. ; Thronson, Harley A., Jr. ; Johnson, Paul E. Abstract Near-infrared images of a 64 x 64 arc sec region surrounding the bright infrared point source in AFGL 2591 reveal an area of extended emission to its south and west. Polarimetric images and the relative color of the nebulosity confirm that the emission is produced by reflection of light from the point source. These images cover a larger field of view than previous observations at H and K obtained by Forrest and Shure (1986) and show the nebular emission to extend further west. A new determination of the absolute position of the point source has also been found. The polarization of the point source and typical polarization of the nebula at J, H, and K all have a position angle perpendicular to the direction of the blushifted high-velocity molecular outflow. Both scattering and dichroic absorption by magnetically aligned grains in the dense cloud around the central source can contribute to the overall polarization. A simple model is adopted to estimate the extinction between the exciting star and both the surrounding nebula and the observer. A young luminous central star, surrounded by a tilted, dense, dusty disk or torus, is consistent with the available data. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: August 1989 DOI: 10.1086/115165 Bibcode: 1989AJ.....98..659B Keywords: Infrared Sources (Astronomy); Point Sources; Polarimetry; Reflection Nebulae; Astronomical Maps; Infrared Imagery; Molecular Flow; Astrophysics; NEBULAE: REFLECTION; STARS: PRE-MAIN-SEQUENCE full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (3)