Light scattering as a clue to cometary dust structure

The linear polarization of comets depends upon the cometary dust physical properties, as. well as upon the phase angle and the wavelength. The observed similarities and discrepancies provide drastic constraints on the physical properties of the dust. A series of measurements of light scattering properties on clouds of particles and of the aggregates they form under microgravity conditions should allow the interpretation of the observations in terms of physical properties of the dust.