Optical and infrared continuum polarization from the interstellar medium is driven by radiative processes aligning the grains with the magnetic field. While a quantitative, predictive theory of radiative alignment torques (RATs) exists and has been extensively tested, several parameters of the theory remain to be fully constrained. In a recent paper, Medan & Andersson showed that the polarization efficiency (and therefore grain alignment efficiency) at different locations in the wall of the Local Bubble (LB) could be modeled as proportional to the integrated light intensity from the surrounding stars and OB associations. Here we probe that relationship at high radiation field intensities by studying the extinction and polarization in the two reflection nebulae IC59 and IC63 in the Sh2-185 HII region, illuminated by the B0 IV star {gamma}Cassiopeia. We combine archival visual polarimetry with new seven-band photometry in the Vilnius system, to derive the polarization efficiency from the material. We find that the same linear relationship seen in the LB wall also applies to the Sh2-185 region, strengthening the conclusion from the earlier study.

Cone search capability for table J/AJ/161/149/table1 (Results of photometry and classification of stars in the Vilnius system for the IC 59 stars with the VATT telescope)

Cone search capability for table J/AJ/161/149/table2 (Results of photometry and classification of stars in the Vilnius system for the IC 63 stars with the VATT telescope)

Cone search capability for table J/AJ/161/149/table3 (Results of photometry and classification of stars in the Vilnius system for the IC59 and IC63 stars with the Maksutov-type telescope)

Cone search capability for table J/AJ/161/149/table4 (Polarization and extinction measurements towards IC 59 and IC 63)