Polarization Measures of Comet Arend-Roland (1956h) and Comet Mrkos (1957d)

Abstract

Measurements of polarization of Comet Arend-Roland and of Comet Mrkos made photoelectrically, using interference filters and conventional B, V filters are given. The interference filters were chosen to isolate the Na emission at 5890 A and the continuum at 4800 A and 4300 A. The polarization at 4800 A in both comets is similar yielding a mean value of 20.1 per cent computed for a phase angle of 90°. This indicates that the agencies responsible for the continuum were identical in both comets. The polarization of Na emission calculated for a phase angle of 90° for Comet Mrkos was 37.4 per cent in agreement with the theoretical value for Na resonance radiation.