Interstellar Grain Alignment - Observational Status

Understand

Interstellar polarization in the optical/infrared has long been known to be due to asymmetrical dust grains aligned with the magnetic field and can potentially provide a resource effective way to probe both the topology and strength of the magnetic field.

• However, to do so with confidence, the physics and variability of the alignment mechanisms must be quantitatively understood.
• The last 15 years has seen major advancements in both the theoretical and observational understanding of this problem.
• I here review the current state of the observational constraints on the grain alignment physics.