THE MAGNETIC-FIELD IN LYNDS-1457 - MULTIBAND PHOTOPOLARIMETRY

We have performed multiband photopolarimetry toward stars behind the m olecular cloud L1457 (MBM 12). This cloud is the nearest known molecul ar cloud (65 pc) and is thought to be contained within the local ''hot bubble.'' The polarization shows a regular structure, indicating that the cloud is threaded by an ordered magnetic field. The wavelength de pendence of the polarization seems to indicate that the grains in L145 7 have higher indices of refraction than normal for interstellar cloud s. However, the wavelength of maximum polarization indicates that thei r size distribution is close to normal.