Interstellar grains.

Abstract

Questions of interstellar extinction are discussed together with the spatial distribution of dust, the scattering of light by grains, diffuse interstellar absorption lines, and questions of interstellar polarization. Theoretical extinction curves are considered, giving attention to ice grains, graphite grains, polycyclic hydrocarbons, silicate grains, core-mantle grains, mixtures of grains, and the total amount of dust. Aspects of grain temperature and grain potential are examined along with processes on grain surfaces, the scattering of X rays by interstellar grains, the origin and destruction of grains, and the dust in the HII regions.