X-ray scattering by nonspherical grains. I. Oblate spheroids

B. T. Draine, Khosrow Allaf-Akbari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

We calculate the scattering of X-rays by interstellar dust for a dust model that reproduces the observed wavelength-dependent extinction and polarization of starlight. On interstellar sight lines that produce appreciable starlight polarization, we predict that the dust-scattered X-ray halo around point sources will have measurable azimuthal asymmetry due to scattering by partially aligned nonspherical grains. We calculate the expected halo asymmetry. X-ray halo asymmetry provides a new test of interstellar dust models.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1318-1330
Number of pages13
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume652
Issue number2 I
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2006

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • Dust, extinction
  • Scattering
  • X-rays: ISM
  • X-rays: general

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