Some Polarization Measurements in Astronomy*

Polarization of light in the galaxy as determined from the observations of 551 distant stars is discussed from the viewpoints of: (1) its nature and probable origin, (2) its space distribution, and (3) its relationship to such parameters as space reddening, the intensity of interstellar spectral lines, and the distance of the stars. Observations of polarized light from different portions of the Orion nebula are presented and its probable. origin is briefly discussed.