Illumination of reflection nebulosity in the L1551 dark cloud by the infrared sources IRS5 and L1551NE

Optical linear polarization data are presented which indicate that the visible nebulosities in the L1551 dark cloud are seen mainly by reflected light. The IR source IRS5 illuminates its immediate surroundings and also the more distant amorphous nebulosity known as HH102. The IRAS source L1551Ne is the apical illuminating source of a faint conical reflection nebula to the east of IRS5. The similarity between this nebulosity and that associated with IRS5 suggests that there may be at least two related IR objects in L1551 with a common origin which has resulted in parallel circumstellar and interstellar discs and outflows. (author)