2001A&A...368..635B

We present the first results of our interstellar polarization programme for the South Galactic Pole (b←70°). The new observations (43 stars) combined with previously published data show that there is a substantial interstellar polarization in this area of the sky. Starting at a distance of 300 pc, we have found stars with P>0.3% including one for which P≃0.6%. These measurements lead to the conclusion that there is a significant amount of interstellar dust at high south galactic latitudes. Futhermore, there is a remarkable alignment seen over the South Polar Cap: for most stars the directions of polarization vectors are aligned with the longitude l≃80°, close to the expected direction of the global magnetic field. In this respect the SGP seems to differ strongly from its northern counterpart.