Maxime Devogele (ESA): "Polarimetry as a Tool for Physical Characterization of Potentially Hazardous Near-Earth Objects"

In this talk we will explore the application of polarimetry in planetary defense endeavors. Planetary defense groups all the activities related to the observation and analysis of near-Earth objects (NEOs) to mitigate potential impact risks. The three primary activities within planetary defense include NEO discovery and orbit assessment, physical characterization, and mitigation strategies. Polarimetry, a technique for measuring the polarization properties of light, is highly valuable in the physical characterization of NEOs. This presentation outlines the fundamentals of polarimetry, methods for obtaining polarimetric observations of NEOs, and the enhancements it brings to planetary defense capabilities.