Eclipse polarimetric researches of Hα-prominences

Polarimetric observations of Hα-prominences made by a full-limb portable coronagraph-polarimeter during the August 11, 1999 total solar eclipse are presented. Accuracy of 1% for polarization degree is achieved due to reducing the instrumental scattered light, installation of a polarizer in the plane of Lyot stop and a special algorithm for statistical data reduction. Polarimetric images of prominences (the 2D distributions of polarization degree) reveal polarization degree of 0-6% for quiescent prominences and 4-10% for active ones. Prospects for eclipse polarimetric researches are discussed.