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Credit:
D. McDavid
(Limber Obs.)
Explanation:
Light polarization is familiar to many
outdoor enthusiasts who use
polarizing sunglasses to cut the glare of reflected light.
These two views of comet Hale-Bopp also demonstrate
the effect of polarization.
At left is an "ordinary intensity image"
of Hale-Bopp's coma taken
April 14, while on the right a similar image made with polarizing filters
represents the intensity of polarized light.
The arcs visible
in the polarized view probably correspond to concentrations of ejected
cometary dust
that produce polarization by reflecting sunlight.
Any sort of
reflection - from clumps of comet dust or the surface of
your favorite lake or ski slope - can polarize light by
causing the light waves to vibrate in a plane defined by the reflecting
surface.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Comet Hale-Bopp
Publications with words: Comet Hale-Bopp
See also: