Polarimetric investigation of Uranus and Neptune

Abstract

We present ground-based disc resolved polarimetric imaging and spectropolarimetry of Uranus and Neptune in the wavelength range from 530 to 930 nm with the goal to constrain the expected polarization of extra-solar planets with similar atmospheric properties. We find for both planets a high limb polarization as expected for atmospheres with significant Rayleigh scattering layers. The limb polarization is enhanced in the strong methane absorption bands when compared to the adjacent continuum. From the observed polarization features we conclude that extra-solar planets with atmospheric properties similar to Uranus and Neptune are strongly polarized and well suited for polarimetric detection and investigation.