The anomalous spectral dependence of polarization in comets

We have found an anomalous (negative) spectral dependence of polarization for split comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, i.e. polarization degree in the I filter is systematically less (∼4%) than that in the R filter for both B and C subnuclei of the comet. Earlier we revealed a similar effect for comets 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, C/1999 S4 (LINEAR), and 9P/Tempel 1. Together with comet C/1989 X1 (Austin), for which the similar spectral dependence of polarization was also observed, these comets form a group characterized by some peculiar properties of their dust. Since atypical organic composition is a characteristic feature for all these comets, the anomalous spectral dependence of polarization may indicate specifics of origin of these comets. Really, most of these comets (but not all) originated from the Kuiper Belt. Also, most (but not all) of these comets belong to the group of comets depleted in carbon species in the gas phase, which is typical for comets formed in the giant-planet area of the solar system. On the other hand, all of the comets with negative spectral gradient of polarization have the dust dominated by large particles and most of them belong to the Jupiter family. This may indicate that anomalous spectral dependence of their polarization is a result of their evolution. To identify the reason of anomalous polarization, systematic spectropolarimetric observations of Jupiter-family comets are necessary.