Planetary surface texture and albedo from parameter plots of optical polarization data

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Abstract
Optical reflectance polarization measurements obtained with the Meudon Observatory polarimeter, in the laboratory and on the telescope, are collected together for the first time; surfaces investigated include rock and powder samples, meteorites, lunar samples and atmosphereless planetary bodies. Interpretation of the data involves plotting polarization curve parameters and albedo, two or three at a time; all the types of plot that have been found useful are reviewed, including a new three-dimensional model. The empirical relationships found from these plots, calibrated by using data for known surfaces, are then of use for the remote determination of planetary surface properties, such as surface texture and albedo; a new method of estimating grain size is described.

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