A polarimeter to observe exoplanet |
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Abstract
of PhD Thesis by Dedalo
Marchetti The work of this thesis is
based on the study and the measurement of the polarization of exoplanets (a planet orbiting around a star
different from the Sun). The first exoplanet was discovered in 1995. The new scientific challenge
does not only consist in discovering new exoplanets,
but it consist also in characterizing those already
discovered. Theoretical studies
highlight that polarimetry can be used for
characterizing surface and atmosphere of the exoplanets. The aim of this thesis is to
design a new kind of a polarimeter for
characterizing exoplanets and to realize a
prototype of the instrument. The optical scheme proposed
for this polarimeter has never been used before. The polarimeter is projected to work in the visible light and
near infrared wavelengths. The thesis has achieved the
goal to provide a working prototype of the polarimeter. The polarimeter
has been successfully calibrated with a small telescope and a source of
artificial light in real operating conditions. A suited software has been developed
to perform data analysis. Some preliminary
observations of celestial bodies (stars, planets and satellites) have been
performed. In particular, a series of observations of the Moon during
different orbital phases have been made, verifying that the Moon's
polarization is correctly modulated by orbital phase. Image captured
in the polarimetric measure of the “Mare Humorum” |
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