Polarimetric observations of asteroids of different taxonomic classes from Lulin Observatory in Taiwan

Polarimetric measurements are a powerful tool in studying compositions and structures of dust layers of asteroids and other solar system objects. A pilot project was carried out using the Triple Range Imager and Polarimeter (TRIPOL) on Lulin 1-m (LOT) telescope at Lulin Observatory to obtain instrument characteristics essential to polarimetric diagnostics of asteroids. A comparison of the TRIPOL results with previous work from the measurements of a number of standard unpolarized, polarized stars, and 29 main-belt asteroids with known taxonomic types (B-, C-, S-, and M-type) shows that a long-term program of polarimetric observations of asteroids has a promising prospect at Lulin Observatory.