Database of Comet Polarimetry

This dataset presents a collection of 2334 published and 319 unpublished results in cometary polarimetry. The database contains 2653 measurements of linear and circular polarization for 65 comets since 1940. The narrow-band and broad-band measurements within the spectral region 0.3-3.5 micron are presented. The ranges of phase angles, helio- and geocentric distances of comets are 0.4-122 deg, 0.6-4.8 AU and 0.03-4.9 AU, respectively. We have compiled 64 references to the published papers and some unpublished sources. The data are presented in a tabular format (ASCII code). 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.