Polarimetry observations of comets: Status, questions, future pathways

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• 作者：Dean C. Hines^a ; ^{hines@stsci.edu" class="auth_mail" title="E-mail the corresponding author} ; Anny-Chantal Levasseur-Regourd^b
• 关键词：Comet ; Polarimetry ; Dust ; Hubble Space Telescope ; C/2012 S1 (ISON) ; 67P/Churyumov&ndash ; Gerasimenko
• 刊名：Planetary and Space Science
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：April 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：123
• 期：Complete
• 页码：41-50
• 全文大小：1652 K

文摘

Polarimetric observations of comets have provided crucial insight into the composition and evolution of cometary dust particles. Herein, we present a brief overview of the polarization properties observed in comets, and some possible interpretations. We also discuss recent imaging polarimetry observations of C/2012 S1 (ISON) and 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko using the Hubble Space Telescope. The observations of 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko are of particular interest, as they were timed to be contemporary with the initial rendezvous of Rosetta and the subsequent landing of the probe Philae. We also outline some unanswered questions and future developments that will greatly enhance our ability to further leverage the power of polarimetry for cometary research.