CCD imaging polarimetry of Comet 2P/Encke

Abstract

We present results and analysis of imaging polarimetric observations of Comet 2P/Encke. The observations were carried out at the 2-m RCC telescope of the Bulgarian National Astronomical Observatory on December 13, 1993 and on January 14, 1994, at phase angles 51.1° and 80.5°, respectively. A wide-band red filter 6940/790 Å was used. This filter is transparent for the continuum and the weak emission bands of NH 2 and H 2O +. There is a sunward dust fan with well-defined polarization, which peaks at≈13% in the image obtained on January 14, 1994. Along the sunward fan the degree of polarization decreases progressively. Outside of the fan the coma displays a low polarization of ≈3%. We suggest that this low polarization is caused by the NH 2 emission in the pass-band of the red wide-band filter. Assuming a spherically symmetric NH 2 coma we are able to correct the observed polarization for this effect. The correction leads to an increase of the observed polarization by 1 to 4% at distances 10,000 and 1500 km from the nucleus. A rough estimate shows that the polarization in the near nucleus region of Comet Encke is similar to that for the dusty comets. Even after correction the polarization of Comet Encke's dust fan is significantly less that the polarization observed in dusty comets. The reasons influencing the distribution of dust polarization in the coma are discussed. More polarimetric and colorimetric observations of the dust in Comet Encke on its return in 2003 are needed.