Color and polarization of the zodiacal light from the ultraviolet to the near infrared.
Abstract
Broadband observations of the zodiacal light at 30 deg elongation from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared are reported. The observations were performed simultaneously and from above the atmosphere, thus reducing systematic errors in the comparison of the results at different wavelengths. The intensity was measured at 180, 220, 260, 472, 593, and 900 nm; the polarization was measured only in the last four channels. Contrary to most previous observations the color of the zodiacal light was found to be reddened with respect to the sun from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared except at 180 nm. The wavelength dependence of polarization was very small in the visible. An increase of polarization towards the ultraviolet and possibly toward the near-infrared is indicated, although a constant polarization would still be compatible with the error bars. The behavior in the ultraviolet is qualitatively in agreement with the recent zodiacal-light models of Roeser and Staude (1978).
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- April 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979A&A....74...15P
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Photometry;
- Optical Polarization;
- Polarized Light;
- Zodiacal Light;
- Calibrating;
- Data Reduction;
- Infrared Spectrophotometers;
- Near Infrared Radiation;
- Rocket Sounding;
- Ultraviolet Photometry;
- Visual Photometry;
- Astronomy;
- Colors:Zodiacal Light;
- Multicolor Photometry:Zodiacal Light;
- Polarization:Zodiacal Light