Interstellar polarization and extinction in the Local Bubble and the Gould Belt

Abstract

We analyse an all-sky compilation of thirteen data sources with optical interstellar linear polarisation for 3871 {\it Gaia} DR2 and {\it Hipparcos} stars within 500 pc, which do not exhibit a considerable intrinsic polarisation. These data are analysed together with five 3D maps and models of the reddening $E(B-V)$. We consider variations of the polarisation degree $P$, position angle $\theta$, and polarisation efficiency $P/E(B-V)$ with Galactic coordinates, distance $R$, and dereddened colour. $P$ shows a maximum at the Gould Belt mid-plane. $P/R$ drops in the Local Bubble by several times defining a boundary of the Bubble at $P=0.1$ per cent. All the data sources of the reddening, except Lallement et al., show a drop of $P/E(B-V)$ in the Bubble. A significant number of stars with a too high $P/E(B-V)$, where the reddening is taken from Arenou et al., Drimmel et al. or Lallement et al., either reject the Serkowski's limit $P/E(B-V)<9.3$ per cent per mag or manifest a systematic underestimation of the reddening by these data sources. The spatial and colour dependent variations of $P$ and $E(B-V)$ outside the Bubble compensate each other, resulting in a nearly constant $P/E(B-V)$. A giant envelope of aligned dust dominates at middle and high latitudes outside the Bubble. The Markkanen's cloud, the North Polar Spur, and some other filaments are parts of this envelope.