The value of accurately knowing the absolute calibration of the polarizing elements in the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) becomes especially important when conducting studies which require measuring degrees of polarization of close to 1% in the near infrared. We present a comprehensive study of all previously observed polarimetric standards using the NIC2 camera on NICMOS. Considering both pre- and post-NICMOS Cooling System observations we find variations in the polarimetry consistent with the effects of sub-pixel mis-alignments and the point spread function. We also measure non-zero results from unpolarized standards indicating an instrumental polarization of p ~ 1.2%, theta ~ 88degrees. The lack of polarized and unpolarized standard stars with which to perform a comprehensive calibration study means we cannot be confident that the current calibration will be effective for a number of recent large NICMOS GO programs. Further observations of polarimetric standards are needed in order to fully characterize the behavior of NICMOS at around p=1%.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, PASP accepte

Munsell crayons were discontinued in 1944 but the concept of the Munsell color wheel is still a part of the Crayola Crayon Company to this day. We performed a set of measurements using an original set of Munsell crayons to see if they still hold their specification and how they compare to the entire available spectrum of the Crayola crayon family. The crayons were melted and measured using a spectrophotometer and the resulting spectra were compared using CIEDE2000. Using a conversion table, the CIELAB coordinates of each crayon were converted to Munsell specification and compared. The results of the experiment show that some Munsell crayons have a similar Crayola counterpart. It also showed that most of the Munsell crayons were not close to their original specifications.

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