Interstellar Dust Grains
Abstract
Description
This review surveys the observed properties of interstellar dust grains: the wavelength-dependent extinction of starlight, including absorption features, from UV to IR; optical luminescence; IR emission; microwave emission; optical, UV, and X-ray scattering by dust; and polarization of starlight and of infrared emission. The relationship between presolar grains in meteorites and the interstellar grain population is discussed. Candidate grain materials and abundance constraints are considered. A dust model consisting of amorphous silicate grains, graphite grains, and PAHs is compared with observed emission and scattering. Some issues concerning evolution of interstellar dust are discussed.
To appear in Annual Review of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Vol. 41 (2003). 46 pages, 16 figures. LaTeX, needs ar2e.cls
To appear in Annual Review of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Vol. 41 (2003). 46 pages, 16 figures. LaTeX, needs ar2e.cls