Data Set Overview : The Asteroid Polarimetric Database (APD) is compiled by Dmitrij Lupishko of Kharkov University. This database tabulates the original data comprising degree of polarization as a function of phase angle of the asteroid, and additional parameters where available. This data set, together with 'polar.tab' containing the TRIAD polarimetry, includes most if not all existing asteroid polarimetry data published by 1999. The APD is an ongoing compilation and this data set will be updated yearly.  Modification History : This data set was first reviewed and ingested in 1996, and was updated in 1997 with additional polarimetric data published since then, as well as an added table of derived polarimetric parameters including polarization curves and polarimetric albedos of selected asteroids. In 1999 and 2000 the data set was updated again with additional polarimetric observations published since the previous version.  In February 2002 these data were re-examiined as part of a general upgrade to archive holdings. No data were changed at that time, but some format modifications were made:  o The existing labels were edited for style and to add more accurate START_TIME and END_TIME values.  o Asteroid names were added to the 'apdcurv.tab' file and the label modified accordingly.  o The main data file was split into separate files for each asteroid, and labels prepared for each of these files. The main data file is retained, but these are offered as a downloading convenience for users.  Parameters : The parameters tabulated in 'apd.tab' are filter, phase angle, degree of polarization, polarization position angle, position angle of the scattering plane, and both degree of polarization and position angle in the proper coordinate system measured from the perpendicular to the scattering plane.  Data : The Asteroid Polarimetric Database is included in the file 'apd.tab'.  Ancillary Data : Parameters of the polarimetric curve for individual asteroids, as well as polarimetric albedos, are compiled in the file 'apdcurv.tab'. This file reproduces the data in Table 2 of Lupishko and Mohamed (1996) [LUPISHKO&MOHAMED1996].  The entries in 'apd.tab' include a reference to the published paper in which the data appeared. The full references of these papers, as well as many other asteroid polarimetry papers compiled by Lupishko, are given in the file 'apdref.tab'.

Confidence Level Overview : This is a compilation of asteroid polarimetry results from the published literature. The user is referred to the individual publications for information on the confidence level of any given observation.  The table of polarimetric parameters and polarimetric albedos, 'apdcurv.tab', provides no error values, but instead gives a quality code as an assessment of the quality of the data.  Review : This data set underwent external peer review on June 1, 2000.