By measuring polarization of distant stars at high z, we can estimate the amount of interstellar extinction using a universal ratio P <= 3Av. As the direction of the interstellar polarization follows the direction of the galactic magnetic field, by mapping polarization at high latitudes from the stars located at different distances from galactic plane we can reveal the structure of local and global galactic magnetic field. This investigation is important for understanding our local galactic environment and building an accurate extragalactic distance scale. Our ongoing research programme on interstellar polarization in the areas of North and South Galactic Poles shows that there is a substantial amount of dust there and distribution of this dust is strongly non-uniform.

Page created on December 15, 2002.