Polarization of compact sources in the galactic center

Near-infrared polarimetry is reported for 15 compact sources within 100'' (5 pc) of the galactic center; the results support the association of all 15 with the center. No intrinsic polarization stronger than 2% at 2 μm is detected from source 16. The polarization at 11.5 μm is probably due to emission by aligned grains in optically thin dust clouds surrounding luminous stars; these grains are aligned by streaming driven by radiation pressure. The stars that power at least three of the 11.5 μm sources can be observed directly in the near-infrared