Using the DIRBE/IRAS All-Sky Reddening Map To Select Low-Reddening Windows Near the Galactic Plane

Recently Schlegel, Finkbeiner & Davis published an all-sky reddening map based on the COBE/DIRBE and IRAS/ISSA infrared sky surveys. Using the reddening map of Baade’s Window and sample of 19 low-latitude (|b| < 5 deg) Galactic globular clusters I find that the DIRBE/IRAS reddening map overestimates E(B − V ) at low galactic latitudes by a factor of ∼ 1.35. I also demonstrate the usefulness of this high resolution map for selecting low-reddening windows near the Galactic plane. Subject headings: dust — extinction — Galaxy: general — globular clusters: general