Abstract
This review surveys the observed properties of interstellar dust grains: the wavelength-dependent extinction of starlight, including absorption features, from UV to infrared; optical luminescence; infrared 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 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is compared with observed emission and scattering. Some issues concerning evolution of interstellar dust are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 241-289 |
| Number of pages | 49 |
| Journal | Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| Volume | 41 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2003 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Keywords
- Infrared astronomy
- Interstellar grains
- Interstellar medium
- Light scattering
- Molecular clouds