On the influence of the atmospheric dust on the zodiacal light polarization

Three color observations of the nightglow brightness and polarization were made to determine the brightness of zodiacal light at the ecliptic pole. On the assumption that the degree of polarization of zodiacal light is 0.20 at the ecliptic pole, the corresponding brightnesses are found to be 68, 70, and 96 G2 stars of the 10th magnitude per square deg. at 0.37, 0.53, and 0.58 micron. The large diurnal variations in observed intensity and direction of polarization are attributed to the effects of dust in the earth's atmosphere.