Modelling of Polarization Properties of Cometary Dust Grains

Abstract

Observational data for dusty comets are summarized and systemized. The dependence of the linear polarization on various parameters (the phase angle, wavelength, etc.) is analyzed. An ensemble of aligned spheroidal particles having various sizes and chemical compositions is used to fit the linear and circular polarization observed for the comet Halley.

4 pages, 5 figures, to be published in Proceedings of International Radiation Symposium IRS 2000: Current Problems in Atmospheric Radiation, St. Petersburg, July 24-29, 2000