A POLARIZATION STUDY OF COMET HYAKUTAKE (C 1996 B2)/

Observations for the linear polarization of comet Hyakutake (C/1996 B2 ) are carried out at three continuum wavebands: 3650 Angstrom, 4845 An gstrom and 6840 Angstrom. These observations were taken on March 13 an d March 18, 1996 when the phase angles were 38.1 and 36.9 degrees, res pectively. These results indicate an increase in the degree of polariz ation with phase angle and wavelength, in general. Present results sho w that comet Hyakutake (C/1996 B2) exhibits similar behaviour as comet P/Halley so far as the polarization property is concerned, indicating thereby that the grain size distribution may not be very much differe nt from that of the comet Halley. We also produce theoretical curve fo r the polarization percentage as a function of phase angle and compare with the observed data. The polarization at various wavebands shows a sensitive behaviour in the phase angle range 20 less than or equal to alpha greater than or equal to 40 degrees.