Modeling New Spectropolarimetry Data for the BN Object

Abstract

New spectropolarimetry data taken for the BN object include many previously unobserved features. Among these are a possible polarization reversal at the short wavelength end of the ice feature and a rotation in the position angle across this feature. These are modeled using the dipole approximation to calculate the properties of the grain ensemble and a simple radiative transfer model of the Stokes parameters to determine the observed polarization. By matching these models to the new and better data, we will better constrain the grain properties and morphology along this line of sight than has previously been done.