UBVRI polarization in Stock 16

Our data yield a mean polarization percentage of P~2.5%, close to the polarization value produced by the ISM with normal efficiency (P_{lambda}_max_~5E_B-V_) undergoing a color excess of E_B-V_=0.51.

The mean angle of the polarization vectors, {theta}=74.9deg, agrees quite well with the expected angle produced by dust particles aligned in the direction of the galactic disk (and the magnetic field) in the region. A study of the extinction suffered by the stars in the zone was also performed combining our new data with previous photometric data. In this sense, our analysis indicates that the visual absorption affecting Stock 16 stars is mainly produced in front of the cluster by a dust cloud at approximately 500 pc from the sun.