Interstellar polarization at high galactic latitudes from distant stars - V. First results for the South Galactic Pole

We present the first results of our interstellar polarization programme for the South Galactic Pole (b < -70 degrees). The new observations (43 stars) combined with previously published data show that there is a substantial interstellar polarization in this area of the sky. Starting at a distance of 300 pc. we have found stars with P > 0.3% including one for which P approximate to 0.6%. These measurements lead to the conclusion that there is a significant amount of interstellar dust at high south galactic latitudes. Futhermore, there is a remarkable alignment seen over the South Polar Clap: for most stars the directions of polarization vectors are aligned with the longitude l approximate to 80 degrees, close to the expected direction of the global magnetic field. in this respect the SGP seems to differ strongly from its northern counterpart.