Loading…

Parameters of the positive polarization maximum of the Moon: mapping

The distributions of the positive polarization degree maximum P sub(max) and, for the first time, of its phase angle a sub(max) were mapped (for wavelengths g sub(eff) = 461 nm and 669 nm) on the basis of polarimetric CCD observations of the eastern hemisphere of the Moon. The distributions of the s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Solar system research 2005-01, Vol.39 (1), p.45-53
Main Authors: Korokhin, V. V., Velikodsky, Yu. I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The distributions of the positive polarization degree maximum P sub(max) and, for the first time, of its phase angle a sub(max) were mapped (for wavelengths g sub(eff) = 461 nm and 669 nm) on the basis of polarimetric CCD observations of the eastern hemisphere of the Moon. The distributions of the spectropolarimetric index for the positive polarization degree maximum CP sub(max)=P sub(max)(669 nm)/P sub(max)(461 nm) and of the 'color' of the maximum polarization angle Ca sub(max)=a sub(max) (669 nm)/ a sub(max) (461 nm) were mapped as well. It has been found that (i) the dependences of a sub(max) on the logarithm of albedo and on the logarithm of P sub(max)are linearly correlated to a large degree; (ii) the parameters a sub(max) and P sub(max)depend on wavelength only due to albedo variations; (iii) there are two branches in the 'spectropolarimetric index CP sub(max)-albedo' correlation diagram: mare regions show anti-correlation, and highlands, correlation. The maps obtained in this study can be useful both for developing remote sensing methods for the Moon and other atmosphereless bodies and for testing models of positive polarization of the light reflected by regolith-like surfaces.
ISSN:0038-0946
1608-3423
DOI:10.1007/s11208-005-0004-7