Linear Polarization Variations and Circular Polarization are Common Among Airless Bodies

TL;DR

This study reveals that rotation phase-locked linear polarization variations are common among asteroids and NEOs, with significant implications for understanding surface heterogeneity and composition, and introduces circular polarimetry as a tool for identifying metallic bodies.

Contribution

It is the first comprehensive eight-year survey showing widespread polarization variations among airless bodies and links circular polarization to asteroid composition.

Findings

All studied bodies show significant linear polarization variations.

Variations on some asteroids are 1.5 to 3.5 times larger than previously known.

Circular polarization is enhanced in low-albedo, M-type asteroids.

Abstract

Using the POLISH2 polarimeter at the Lick Observatory Shane 3-m and Nickel 1-m telescopes, we discover rotation phase-locked variations in linear polarization to be common among asteroids and a NEO in a clear, 383 to 720 nm bandpass. Essentially all bodies in our eight-year study harbor statistically significant, repeatable linear polarization variations at the $0.01\% = 100$ ppm level or above (1 Ceres, 2 Pallas, 3 Juno, 4 Vesta, 6 Hebe, 7 Iris, 12 Victoria, 15 Eunomia, 16 Psyche, 132 Aethra, 216 Kleopatra, and 65803 Didymos). Since polarimetry is a differential technique, such variations cannot be due to shape changes and must be caused by heterogeneity in surface albedo and/or composition. While (4) Vesta has long been known to exhibit large, repeatable polarization variations across its surface, we discover the variations on (6) Hebe, (12) Victoria, and (65803) Didymos to be 1.5 to 3.5 times as large. We hypothesize that the \textit{DART} impact with Dimorphos blanketed Didymos with depolarizing ejecta, which suggests pristine variations across Didymos to have been even larger. As the only NEO in this study with data quality sufficient to investigate polarization variations, Didymos' huge variations suggest they may be common among NEOs. We also discover optical circular polarization to be enhanced for low-albedo, M type asteroids, which is correlated with their large radar albedos. Thus, we present optical circular polarimetry as an alternative method for the identification of metalliferous bodies.