Polarization images of the inner regions of Comet Halley

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(88)90072-3· OSTI ID:6494230

Eaton, N; Scarrott, S M; Warren-Smith, R F

The present CCD polarimeter images of intensity and polarization within the near-nucleus regions of Comet Halley show the occurrence of dust jets on two days in January, 1986, which exhibit increased polarizations above the level of the surrounding coma. Three possible reasons for the enhanced polarization in the jets are considered, assuming that the polarization increase is due to dust grains: (1) the size distribution of the grains could be different from the surrounding coma; (2) the material of the grains could have a different refractive index; and (3) the ratio of dust to gas emission could be different in the jets. 13 references.

• Research Organization: Durham Univ. (England)
• OSTI ID: 6494230
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 76; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMETS
COSMIC DUST
DUSTS
EMISSION SPECTRA
FLUX DENSITY
HALLEY COMET
IMAGES
INTERSTELLAR GRAINS
MORPHOLOGY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICLES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLARIZATION
RADIANT FLUX DENSITY
REFRACTIVITY
SIZE
SPECTRA