Interstellar polarization in a molecular cloud in serpens

Observations of the polarization of stars in the direction of a molecular cloud in Serpens are presented. A dependence of the degree of linear polarization on total absorption A_v is found in their direction, different for stars in the cloud and in its vicinity. On this basis, it is concluded that the polarizing efficiency of particles in the cloud is reduced. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 397-403, July–September, 2000.