DIRBE observations of Galactic stellar populations and extinctions

The short wavelength bands of the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE) on NASA’s Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) mission allow us to examine the integrated near‐infrared emission of various stellar populations within the Galaxy. The results of a preliminary analysis at 1.25, 2.2, 3.5, and 4.9 μm are presented. The characteristics colors of the bulge and disk populations are determined. The derivation of the line‐of‐sight extinction in these bands yields a mean interstellar reddening law. Comparison of the near‐infrared extinction with that for the longer wavelength bands (140 and 240 μm) allows separation of the relatively nearby obscuration from that caused by more distant clouds.