Compiled Data - Comet Polarimetry - Overview
============================================

This collection contains dataasets that compile polarimetric observations of
comets that were published in the literature.  Individual collections are
detailed following.


The Database of Comet Polarimetry
---------------------------------
The Database of Comet Polarimetry (DBCP) was initiated in 2003 with a goal to
collect a dataset of all available data on the linear and  circular
polarization of comets.

A total of 95 comets are included in this version of the DBCP. The data were
obtained during the years 1881 - 2016 and were collected from a variety of
published sources. The database also contains unpublished observations by
the authors of the database. Observations were carried out using various
telescopes and various polarimetric equipment including photographic,
photoelectric, and imaging technics.

The database contains 3441 measurements of linear and circular polarization.
Narrow-band and broad-band measurements within the spectral region 0.3-2.3
micron are presented.  The ranges of phase angles, helio- and geocentric
distances of comets are 0.0-122 deg, 0.00-0.34-7.01 AU, 0.01-6.52 AU 
respectively.  We have collected 105 references to the published papers and
some unpublished sources. The data we included are presented in a tabular
format (ASCII encoding). The database can be used as the observational basis
for detailed theoretical modeling, interpretation of the phase-angle and 
spectral dependence of polarization, classification of comets, and for 
selecting future space-mission targets.

Modification History:

 This is the second version of the DBCP in terms of content and represents the
 existing data as of the 2016 collection search. In the future the dataset
 will be updated to add new data as they will be obtained and published.
 This is the first version of the data to be supplied in the new PDS4
 standard, and it supersedes the existing PDS3 version with the data set
 ID: EAR-C-COMPIL-5-DB-COMET-POLARIMETRY-V1.0.