title: Laboratory experiments on backscattering from regolith samples.
abstract: The investigation of the backscattering peak has applications in the surface texture characterization of asteroids and planetary surfaces. Laboratory experiments are important because they give an opportunity for systematic variation and comparison of samples. A backscattering experiment from regolith samples, which uses a laser light source and a beam splitter to reach the smallest phase angles, is presented. Measurements at zero and small phase angles for Sahara sand and meteorite rocks are made, and the preliminary results are presented in comparison with the phase curve observed for asteroid 69 Hesperia. The results are applicable to the further interpretation of the coherent backscattering opposition effect.
authors.affiliation: Observatory, University of Helsinki, Finland. sanna.kaasalainen@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Sanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaasalainen
authors.forename: Jukka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piironen
authors.forename: Karri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muinonen
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karttunen
authors.forename: Jouni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peltoniemi