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Polarimetric investigation of Uranus and Neptune

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2006

F. Joos  and
H. M. Schmid
F. Joos
Affiliation:
Institute of Astronomy, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland email: [email protected]
H. M. Schmid
Affiliation:
Institute of Astronomy, ETH Zurich, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland email: [email protected]
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Abstract

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We present ground-based disc resolved polarimetric imaging and spectropolarimetry of Uranus and Neptune in the wavelength range from 530 to 930 nm with the goal to constrain the expected polarization of extra-solar planets with similar atmospheric properties. We find for both planets a high limb polarization as expected for atmospheres with significant Rayleigh scattering layers. The limb polarization is enhanced in the strong methane absorption bands when compared to the adjacent continuum. From the observed polarization features we conclude that extra-solar planets with atmospheric properties similar to Uranus and Neptune are strongly polarized and well suited for polarimetric detection and investigation.

Keywords

PolarimetryexoplanetsUranusNeptune
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 1 , Colloquium C200: Direct Imaging of Exoplanets: Science & Techniques , October 2005 , pp. 189 - 192
Copyright
© 2006 International Astronomical Union