OPTICAL AND NEAR-INFRARED POLARIMETRY OF THE INFRARED LUMINOUS GALAXY IRAS 23060+0505

We report optical and near-infrared polarization and flux density measurements of the infrared luminous galaxy IRAS 23060+0505. The flux density in an 8" diameter aperture follows an approximate power law with a spectral index alpha (F-nu infinity nu-alpha) of 2.6 from 0.35 to 2.2-mu-m while the polarized flux density spectrum steepens from a spectral index of 2.48 in the near-infrared to 6.0 shortward of 0.8-mu-m. The wavelength dependence of degree of polarization is unusual, rising very steeply from 1% to 2% in the blue to a level of approximately 8% in the I band and then falling slowly through the near-infrared. A number of different models have been developed as an aid to interpreting the wavelength dependence of polarization and flux density observed for 23060+0505. Scattering of radiation from a continuum source largely obscured from direct sight is the most likely explanation for the observed polarization.