Imaging polarimetry of the starburst galaxy NGC 1808: another M82?

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol. 264; no. 1; pp. L7 - L12
• Main Authors: Scarrott, S. M., Draper, P. W., Stockdale, D. P., Wolstencroft, R. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford University Press 01.09.1993; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; galaxies: active; galaxies: individual: NGC 1808; galaxies: magnetic fields; galaxies: starburst; polarization; Quasars. Active or peculiar galaxies, objects, and systems; Starburst galaxies and infrared excess galaxies; Stellar systems. Galactic and extragalactic objects and systems. The universe; Active galaxies; Polarization; Starburst galaxies; Hot spots; Interstellar magnetic fields; Galaxy nuclei; Spiral galaxies
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/264.1.L7

An optical polarization map for the starburst galaxy NGC 1808 is presented. On kiloparsec scales the polarization orientations follow the spiral arms, indicative of a magnetic field that is coherent on a galactic scale. The inner parts (< 750 pc) of the galaxy show a polarization pattern that is typical of a huge reflection nebula illuminated from within the central activity. Although the galactic nucleus is the dominant illuminating source of this ‘nebula’, the other hotspots make varying contributions to the illumination. The inner reflection nebula is very reminiscent of the one in the archetypal starburst galaxy M82.