Polarimetric measurements of simulated lunar surfaces

An experimental study of the polarimetric properties of simulated lunar surfaces has shown that the polarization properties of the lunar surface can be produced by Haleakala volcanic ash or blast furnace slag with a particulate coating of itself. Specific conclusions about the general properties of materials are: (1) the smallest particles of the range studied (<1 μ to 6.35 mm) have higher albedos and lower maximum polarization than the largest particles of the same materials; (2) an inverse relationship between the maximum per cent polarization and spectral albedo was found to exist for the contrived models; and (3) for higher maximum per cent polarization, the corresponding phase angle increases.