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| Paper: |
The Role of Small Dust Grains in FUV Extinction |
| Volume: |
348, Astrophysics in the Far Ultraviolet: Five Years of Discovery with FUSE |
| Page: |
415 |
| Authors: |
Clayton, G.C. |
| Abstract: |
Interstellar dust is the dominant opacity source for continuum photons with energies between the microwave and the ionization edge of hydrogen. Because a large fraction of the photons passing through the ISM is absorbed and re-emitted in the IR, the intrinsic spectral energy distribution of reddened astrophysical objects (particularly in the ultraviolet) cannot be accurately determined without detailed knowledge of the absorbing medium. Small dust grains (< 500 Å) are extremely important. The nature of these grains, e.g., their relative abundance, size distribution and composition, will effectively regulate the environment by controlling the energy balance and the rate of molecule formation and dissociation. Such grains are best studied in the FUV. We are constructing FUV extinction curves for a large number of sightlines in the FUSE archive. Our final database will contain about 100 Galactic sightlines, as well as several from the LMC and SMC. These extinction curves are being used to gain a better understanding of the nature of the small grains. In particular, by investigating a far greater variety of extinction environments, we will better understand the differences between the Galactic dust and the SMC dust which is typical of many other galaxies. |
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