The Interstellar Radiation Density Between 1250 and 4250 A

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (150) References (14) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Interstellar Radiation Density Between 1250 and 4250 A Witt, Adolf N. ; Johnson, Michael W. Abstract Using a model distribution of stars and dust, we have calculated the interstellar radiation density in the solar vicinity. The detailed wavelength dependence of interstellar extinction and of the albedo of the interstellar grains was taken into account, and the transformation of the stellar luminosity function was based on OAO-2 photometry. We find excellent agreement between our calculations and empirical data determined by Lillie, but we predict a radiation density h;gher by about a factor of two compared to earlier calculations by Habing for the wavelength range from 1000 to 2000 A. We also find a very steep rise in the spectrum of the radiation field toward shorter wavelengths in the interval 500 A. This rise, if characteristic for galaxies in general, may in part explain the high ultraviolet fluxes observed from galaxies with OAO-2. The revised shape of the spectrum of the interstellar radiation field is expected to be of consequence in studies of the ionization equilibrium of interstellar clouds. Subject headings: interstellar matter - ultraviolet Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: April 1973 DOI: 10.1086/152054 Bibcode: 1973ApJ...181..363W full text sources ADS |