Zodiacal light polarimetry. I. Observations, reductions, disturbing phenomena, accuracy.
Abstract
Summary. This is an introductory paper to a series which will present and interpret the photopolarimetric results obtained at Teide Observatory since 1964. We review our observation and reduction procedures I. to separate airglow continuum from extraterrestrial light, and 2. to minimize and evaluate the starlight component. The various contaminating sources and the r.m.s. errors that they may leave in the results, after corrections, are discussed. Special attention is drawn to disturbances in polarimetry by scattering in the low atmosphere. The most difficult correction is for airglow, but it can be controlled enough to ensure fairly reliable results in ground-based zodiacal light photopolarimetry almost over the whole sky, including the dark off-ecliptic regions, but excluding polarimetry in the antisolar cap. Key words: zodiacal light airglow
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- February 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975A&A....38..397D
- Keywords:
-
- Interplanetary Medium;
- Polarimetry;
- Zodiacal Light;
- Airglow;
- Cosmic Dust;
- Data;
- Photometry;
- Polarization Characteristics;
- Root-Mean-Square Errors;
- Astronomy