Interstellar polarization at high galactic latitudes from distant stars

VII. A complete map for southern latitudes b 

Tuorla Observatory, 21500 Piikkiö, Finland e-mail: [andber;piirola;pekkatee]@astro.utu.fi

Received: 20 February 2004
Accepted: 17 May 2004

Abstract

We present a detailed map of interstellar polarization for the South Galactic Pole (). The map is based on new polarization measurements of 183 stars of spectral classes from A to K at distances of up to 500 pc. We use polarization data to investigate the distribution of dust and to map the Galactic magnetic field at high southern Galactic latitudes and make a comparison with the opposite northern polar zone. In general, the magnetic field is smoother in the south and aligned with the global pattern. There are no extended dusty structures in the south similar to Markkanen's cloud in the north.