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Unusual polarimetric properties for interstellar comet 2I/Borisov

Author

Listed:
  • S. Bagnulo

    (Armagh Observatory & Planetarium)

  • A. Cellino

    (INAF – Osservatorio Astrofisico di Torino)

  • L. Kolokolova

    (University of Maryland)

  • R. Nežič

    (Armagh Observatory & Planetarium
    University College London
    University College London/Birkbeck)

  • T. Santana-Ros

    (Universidad de Alicante
    Universitat de Barcelona (IEEC-UB))

  • G. Borisov

    (Armagh Observatory & Planetarium
    Bulgarian Academy of Sciences)

  • A. A. Christou

    (Armagh Observatory & Planetarium)

  • Ph. Bendjoya

    (Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange)

  • M. Devogèle

    (University of Central Florida)

Abstract

So far, only two interstellar objects have been observed within our Solar System. While the first one, 1I/‘Oumuamua, had asteroidal characteristics, the second one, 2I/Borisov, showed clear evidence of cometary activity. We performed polarimetric observations of comet 2I/Borisov using the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope to derive the physical characteristics of its coma dust particles. Here we show that the polarization of 2I/Borisov is higher than what is typically measured for Solar System comets. This feature distinguishes 2I/Borisov from dynamically evolved objects such as Jupiter-family and all short- and long-period comets in our Solar System. The only object with similar polarimetric properties as 2I/Borisov is comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp), an object that is believed to have approached the Sun only once before its apparition in 1997. Unlike Hale-Bopp and many other comets, though, comet 2I/Borisov shows a polarimetrically homogeneous coma, suggesting that it is an even more pristine object.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Bagnulo & A. Cellino & L. Kolokolova & R. Nežič & T. Santana-Ros & G. Borisov & A. A. Christou & Ph. Bendjoya & M. Devogèle, 2021. "Unusual polarimetric properties for interstellar comet 2I/Borisov," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-22000-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22000-x
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