Comparison between the renormalized DL A_V estimates (A_V,RQ), and those derived from optical stellar observations (A_V,Sch). The top row shows the A_V maps derived from optical stellar observations. The b = ± 5° lines have been added for reference. The bottom row left panel compares the renormalized A_V,RQ estimates with those derived from optical stellar observations A_V,Sch in the | b | > 5° sky. The agreement of these independent A_V estimates is a successful test of our empirical renormalization. The bottom row right panel show the histogram of the difference of the two A_V estimates, also in the | b | > 5° sky.