Database of satellite polarimetry

We present the electronic database (EAR-SA-COMPIL-3-SATPOL-V1.0, NASA Planetary Data System), involving 2355 published and 105 unpublished results in planetary satellite polarimetry. The database contains 2460 measurements of linear polarization of planetary satellites, including fifteen measurements of polarization for the Martian satellites (Phobos and Deimos), 2318 measurements for five Jovian satellites (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, and Himalia), 127 measurements for two Saturnian satellites (Titan and Iapetus). Broad-band measurements within the spectral region 233-850 nm are presented. The range of phase angles is 0.1°-154° . The geometric conditions of observations (phase angle, planetographic longitude and latitude of the target disk centre seen by the observer, and position angle of the scattering plane) are calculated for given moments of time according to the JPL Horizons ephemeris system. We have compiled nineteen references to the published papers and some unpublished sources. The data are provided in a tabular ASCII format. The database can be used as the observational basis for detailed theoretical modelling, interpretation of the phase-angle and spectral dependence of polarization, and for selecting future space-mission targets

Polarimetry of Saturnian satellite Enceladus

We present results of polarimetric observations of Saturn's moon Enceladus carried out from April 14, 2010 to April 13, 2013 in WR spectral band (550-750 nm). We used 2.6-m telescope equipped with a one-channel photoelectric photometer-polarimeter (Crimean Astrophysical Observatory). The measurements were performed at phase angles ranging from 1.65° to 5.71°. The phase-angle dependence of linear polarization of Enceladus was obtained using the results of our observations. Results obtained are discussed in terms of existing models of light scattering by regolith surfaces

Polarimetric observations of the Galilean satellites near opposition in 2011

We present results of the new polarimetric observations of the Galilean satellites Io, Ganymede, Europe, and Callisto carried out on October 21 - November 1, 2011. We used 1.25m telescope equipped with the UBVRI double image chopping photoelectric polarimeter, 2.6m Shain telescope equipped with a one-channel photoelectric photometer-polarimeter, 1m RCC telescope equipped with a one-channel photoelectric photometer-polarimeter (Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, Ukraine), and 0.7m telescope equipped with a one-channel photoelectric photometer-polarimeter (Chuguev Observational Station of Astronomical Institute of Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine). The measurements were performed at phase angles ranging from 0.34° to 2.12°. Our new observations fully confirmed the presence of the polarization opposition effect for high-albedo satellites Io, Europa, and Ganymede at phase angles less than 2° . Within the accuracy of the measurements we did not detect the polarization opposition effect for moderate-albedo satellite Callisto

Polarimetry of Saturnian satellite Enceladus

We present results of polarimetric observations of Saturn's moon Enceladus carried out from April 14, 2010 to April 13, 2013 in WR spectral band (550-750 nm). We used 2.6-m telescope equipped with a one-channel photoelectric photometer-polarimeter (Crimean Astrophysical Observatory). The measurements were performed at phase angles ranging from 1.65° to 5.71°. The phase-angle dependence of linear polarization of Enceladus was obtained using the results of our observations. Results obtained are discussed in terms of existing models of light scattering by regolith surfaces