Surface polarimetric heterogeneity of Asteroid 4 Vesta

An attempt is made to explain the variation in absolute value of minimum polarization of the surface of the asteroid Vesta based on model laboratory polarimetric observations. Recommendations are also presented for further polarimetric studies of the asteroid in order to check and refine the interpretation suggested. The suggested reason for the polarimetric heterogeneity of the surface of the asteroid is changes in such microstructural characteristics as the ratio of quantities and albedo of light and dark surface material fragments in the scale around 1 micron.