Polarization measurements of stars in the region of Bok globule B5

Polarimetric observations of stars in the region of the globule B5 have been made. A polarization map representing the magnetic field geometry in the globule has been produced. It is suggested that parallel to the rotation axis, the bulk of the cloud is supported against gravity by stellar wind from the embedded IR sources. The strength of the magnetic field in the cloud is estimated to be about 100 μG. The wavelength of maximum polarization is found to be significantly larger than the normal interstellar value, indicating that the dust grains in B5 might be larger than the interstellar grain size. (author)