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http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12386/23485
Title: | Linear spectropolarimetry: a new diagnostic tool for the classification and characterization of asteroids | Authors: | Bagnulo, S. CELLINO, Alberto Sterzik, M. F. |
Issue Date: | 2015 | Journal: | MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY | Number: | 446 | First Page: | L11 | Abstract: | We explore the use of spectropolarimetry as a remote sensing tool for asteroids in addition to traditional reflectance measurements. In particular, we are interested in possible relationships between the wavelength-dependent variation of linear polarization and the properties of the surfaces, including albedo and composition. We have obtained optical spectropolarimetric measurements of a dozen asteroids of different albedo and taxonomic classes and of two small regions at the limb of the Moon. We found that objects with marginally different relative reflectance spectra (in the optical) may have totally different polarization spectra. This suggests that spectropolarimetry may be used to refine the classification of asteroids. We also found that in some cases the Umov law may be violated, that is, in contrast to what is expected from basic physical considerations, the fraction of linear polarization and the reflectance may be positively correlated. In agreement with a few previous studies based on multicolour broad-band polarimetry, we found that the variation of linear polarization with wavelength and with phase-angle is correlated with the albedo and taxonomic class of the objects. Finally, we have serendipitously discovered that spinel-rich asteroid (599) Luisa, located very close to the Watsonia family, is a member of the rare class of Barbarian asteroids. We suggest that future modelling attempts of the surface structure of asteroids should be aimed at explaining both reflectance and polarization spectra. | Acknowledgments: | SB and AC gratefully acknowledge support from COST Action MP1104 ‘Polarimetry as a tool to study the solar system and beyond’. Observations were performed with ING Telescopes under programme W/2014A/5 and with ESO Telescopes at the La Silla-Paranal Observatory under programme IDs 087.C-0040 and 092.C-0639. We thank WHT staff, the ESO Paranal SCIOPS Team and User Support Division for their excellent support to the observations. | URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12386/23485 | URL: | https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article/446/1/L11/1051874 | ISSN: | 0035-8711 | DOI: | 10.1093/mnrasl/slu154 | Bibcode ADS: | 2015MNRAS.446L..11B | Fulltext: | open |
Appears in Collections: | 1.01 Articoli in rivista |
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Spectropolarimetry.pdf | pdf editoriale | 372.25 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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