My talk presents the review of the current status of polarimetric observatios of QSOs and AGNs. The new polarimetric observations of extragalactic objects is discussed in detail. The observations include: (a) the puzzle feature in UV spectrum of the polarized radiation of QSOa (HST observations); (b) the discovery of "intraday" and fast variability of polarized radiation of blazars (the observations at the BTA-6m); (c) the radiopolarimetric observations of the galaxies with the large red shifts; (d) the polarization observations of the Sgr A*; (e) the decrease of the fraction of polarized QSOs with the increasing of red shifts.

The new method of the determination of magnetic field strength in the nearest vicinity of QSO or AGN is suggested. The method is based on the calculation of polarized radiation in optically thick electron accretion disk taking into account the Faraday rotation of the polarization plane on the length of a photon free path. In conclusion the possibility of new processes of the conversion of photons into the scalar bosons in yhe presence of a magnetic field is considered. These processes may in principle explain the phenomenon of the coherent orientation of QSO polarization vectors on cosmological scales.

Page design by Alexander Potekhin (palex.astro@mail.ioffe.ru).
Page created on April 2, 2001, updated on April 6, 2001.