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Molecular hydrogen polarization images of OMC-1An image of the polarization of the shocked H2 v = 1-0 S(1) line emission in the core of OMC-1 has been obtained. Along the molecular outflow of the source, the line is dichroically polarized by a medium of aligned grains located between the earth and the shock fronts. The polarization pattern traces the magnetic field direction, which is parallel to the outflow axis and to the large-scale field direction determined from far-IR continuum measurements. Close to the IR source IRc2, the likely source of the outflow, the aligned vectors twist, indicating that the magnetic field direction changes. Modeling the line ratios of scattered H2 lines in the reflection nebula, it is concluded that the size distribution of grains there is typical of the small grains in the diffuse interstellar medium. By contrast, the scattered continuum radiation from the core region suggests that the grains there are larger than this.
Document ID
19910059748
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Burton, Michael G.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field; California, University, Irvine, United States)
Minchin, N. R.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Hough, J. H.
(Hatfield Polytechnic United Kingdom)
Aspin, C.
(Joint Astronomy Centre Hilo, HI, United States)
Axon, D. J.
(Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratories Jodrell Bank, United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
July 10, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 375
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
91A44371
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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