Reddenings derived from H I and galaxy counts - Accuracy and maps

Abstract

Burstein and Heiles (1978) have reported the discovery of a new and potentially accurate method for predicting line-of-sight reddening in the galaxy. The present investigation is concerned with an assessment of the accuracy of this method, taking into account a comparison of its reddening predictions to those of two independent and highly accurate methods, including the uvby-beta photometry of early-type stars and the strong absorption line-strength-color relationship for the integrated spectra of elliptical galaxies. On the basis of the results of the investigation, it is concluded that a reasonable estimate of the relative accuracy of the H I/galaxy counts method reported by Burstein and Heiles is 0.01 mag in E(B-V) or 10% of the reddening, whichever is larger.