Dust Explorer

Dust Explorer

Radiation field

Starlight, U

Grain

Material

Charge

Radius, a

Size distribution

Per H nucleus

Efficiencies

Energy in and out

Log

Temperature distribution

Linear

Temperature against radius

Size distribution

Extinction

Infrared emission

Spherical grains of astronomical silicate and graphite with the dielectric functions of Draine (2003), optics from Mie theory (graphite in the 1/3–2/3 approximation), and PAHs with the cross sections of Draine & Li (2007), heated by the interstellar radiation field of Mathis, Mezger & Panagia (1983) scaled by U plus the CMB. Temperatures follow from energy balance; grains whose temperature fluctuates by more than 1% are treated stochastically with the heat capacities and thermal-continuous method of Draine & Li (2001). Grain shapes, ices, grain charging (the PAH ionized fraction is set by hand), and sublimation are left out.

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