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The spectral energy distribution of the scattered light from dark cloudsA dark cloud is exposed to the ambient radiation field of integrated starlight in the Galaxy. Scattering of starlight by the dust particles gives rise to a diffuse surface brightness of the dark nebula. The intensity and the spectrum of this diffuse radiation can be used to investigate, e.g., the scattering parameters of the dust, the optical thickness of the cloud, and as a probe of the ambient radiation field at the location of the cloud. An understanding of the scattering process is also a prerequisite for the isolation of broad spectral features due to fluorescence or to any other non-scattering origin of the diffuse light. Model calculations are presented for multiple scattering in a spherical cloud. These calculations show that the different spectral shapes of the observed diffuse light can be reproduced with standard dust parameters. The possibility to use the observed spectrum as a diagnostic tool for analyzing the thickness of the cloud and the dust particle is discussed.
Document ID
19910005598
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Mattila, Kalevi (Helsinki Univ. (Finland). F.R. , United States)
Schnur, G. F. O. (Ruhr Univ., Bochum, Germany)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Ames Research Center, Interstellar Dust: Contributed Papers
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
91N14911
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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