Using the DIRBE/IRAS All-Sky Reddening Map To Select Low-Reddening Windows Near the Galactic Plane

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the DIRBE/IRAS all-sky reddening map's accuracy at low galactic latitudes and demonstrates its utility in identifying low-reddening regions near the Galactic plane.

Contribution

It shows that the DIRBE/IRAS reddening map overestimates E(B-V) at low latitudes and highlights its usefulness for selecting low-reddening windows.

Findings

The map overestimates E(B-V) by a factor of ~1.35 at low latitudes.

The map is useful for identifying low-reddening regions near the Galactic plane.

Validation using Baade's Window and 19 globular clusters.

Abstract

Recently Schlegel, Finkbeiner & Davis published an all-sky reddening map based on the COBE/DIRBE and IRAS/ISSA infrared sky surveys. Using the reddening map of Baade's Window and sample of 19 low-latitude ($|b|<5\deg$) Galactic globular clusters I find that the DIRBE/IRAS reddening map overestimates $E(B-V)$ at low galactic latitudes by a factor of $\sim 1.35$. I also demonstrate the usefulness of this high resolution map for selecting low-reddening windows near the Galactic plane.