We present an analysis of far-infrared dust emission from diffuse cirrus
clouds. This study is based on serendipitous observations at 160 microns at
high galactic latitude with the Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS) onboard the
Spitzer Space Telescope by the Spitzer Infrared Nearby Galaxies Survey (SINGS).
These observations are complemented with IRIS data at 100 and 60 microns and
constitute one of the most sensitive and unbiased samples of far infrared
observations at small scale of diffuse interstellar clouds. Outside regions
dominated by the cosmic infrared background fluctuations, we observe a
substantial scatter in the 160/100 colors from cirrus emission. We compared the
160/100 color variations to 60/100 colors in the same fields and find a trend
of decreasing 60/100 with increasing 160/100. This trend can not be accounted
for by current dust models by changing solely the interstellar radiation field.
It requires a significant change of dust properties such as grain size
distribution or emissivity or a mixing of clouds in different physical
conditions along the line of sight. These variations are important as a
potential confusing foreground for extragalactic studies.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables, accepted to Ap
