Optical colours and polarization of a model reflection nebula

Simple models of a reflection nebula in the form of a plane-parallel slab containing smooth spherical solid particles in submicron size range have been considered. Single scattering has been assumed. The effect of varying the composition and size distribution function of the grains have been brought out in the calculations using Mie theory of scattering. The analytical part of the geometry of the problem has been treated quite rigorously and the resulting expression for nebular intensity has been presented in a somewhat new form. In this paper, the case of the star behind the nebula has been examined. A comparison of the theoretical results with the observations of the Merope nebula shows that the dirty ice grains with index of refraction about 1·3–0·1i and size parametera ₀ = 0·5µ give reasonable agreement with the colours. Simultaneously, the polarization in the visual and blue wavelength bands agree approximately up to offset angle of 6 minutes of arc. The larger offset angles pose an intriguing problem. The general trends of nebular colours and polarization with variation of real and imaginary parts of index of refraction and the size distribution parameter have been tabulated to serve as a guide for further study of reflection nebulae with the star in the rear.