Stinson, A; Bagnulo, S; Tozzi, GP; Boehnhardt, H; Protopapa, S; Kolokolova, L; Muinonen, K; Stinson, A; Bagnulo, S; Tozzi, GP; Boehnhardt, H; Protopapa, S; Kolokolova, L; Muinonen, K; Jones, GH; - view fewer (2016) Polarimetry of comets 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh, and 152P/Helin-Lawrence. Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A) , 594 , Article A11. 10.1051/0004-6361/201527696.

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Abstract

Aims. Polarimetric characteristics of comets at large heliocentric distances is a relatively unexplored area; we extend the idea by adding and analysing the data for three Jupiter family comets (JFCs). Methods. With the FORS2 instrument of the ESO VLT, we performed quasi-simultaneous photometry and polarimetry of three active JFCs 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh, and 152P/Helin-Lawrence. Results. We obtained in total 23 polarimetric measurements at different epochs, covering a phase-angle range ~1°−16° and heliocentric distances from 3 to 4.6 au. From our observations we obtained both colour and polarimetric maps to look for structures in the comae and tails of the comets. Conclusions. 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh and 152P/Helin-Lawrence exhibit enough activity at large heliocentric distances to be detectable in polarimetric measurements. Polarimetric and colour maps indicate no evidence of dust particle evolution in the coma. From near-infrared spectra we find no evidence of water ice in the coma of comet 152P/Helin-Lawrence.

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