LUNAR AND PLANETARY RESEARCH.

Abstract

Polarization of Venus and Mars at 7 wavelengths was observed. Measurements of Venus from 1959 to 1965 show fairly good repetition when observed with infrared, red, and green filters. With the ultraviolet filters, however, appreciable differences are found from year to year. The differences are presumably caused by variations in the optical thickness of the molecular atmosphere above the cloud layers. Observations were made with the 21-in. reflectors of the Steward Observatory in Tucson and the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. For both telescoped and instrumental polarization was determined by observations on nonpolarized stars. A few strongly polarized stars were also observed. A good set of measurements was obtained on the polarization of Mercury. Polarization of the whole moon was observed by using the photometers with a one-inch lens instead of the usual telescope.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 30, 1965
Accession Number
AD0621245

Entities

People

  • T. Gehrels

Organizations

  • University of Arizona

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheres
  • Buildings And Structures
  • Filters
  • Measurement
  • Mountains
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Optical Equipment
  • Photometers
  • Polarization
  • Reflectors
  • Research Facilities
  • Telescopes
  • Thickness
  • Ultraviolet Filters

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris