Magneto-optical effects and the interpretation of linearly polarized intensity distributions observed with a vector magnetograph

Linearly polarized intensity distributions observed in sunspots with the Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) vector magnetograph are interpreted taking into account magneto-optical effects. It is shown that these effects can be responsible for the observed spiral configuration in the pattern of linear polarization, even if a purely radial, conventional sunspot model is used.On leave from: Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi, 5, 50125 Firenze, Italy.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.