[Previous] | [Session 72] | [Next]
M. Kishimoto (UCSB), L.E. Kay (Barnard Coll., Columbia U.), R. Antonucci, T.W. Hurt (UCSB), R.D. Cohen (UCSD), J.H. Krolik (JHU)
We present UV Imaging polarimetry data of the Seyfert 2 galaxies, Mrk 3 and Mrk 477 taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. For both of the objects, we found off-nuclear scattering regions extended at least to several hundred parsec scale. The position angles of polarization are centrosymmetric, confirming that the polarization is caused by scattering, and we determine the location of the hidden nucleus as the center of this centrosymmetric pattern. From the polarization images taken in two broad bands, we have obtained the color distribution of the polarized flux, which shows non-uniform, rather complicated structures. Based on this high resolution color map, together with the recent results of X-ray observations, we discuss the nature of the scatterers --- optically-thin/thick dust, electrons, and an anomalous dust grain population which might be dominated by large grains.
Support for this work was provided by NASA through grant GO-6702 to L. Kay from the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by AURA, Inc., under NASA contract NAS5-26555.