IRAS observations of the Pluto-Charon system
1987; Institute of Physics; Volume: 94; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1086/114545
ISSN1538-3881
AutoresHartmut H. Aumann, R. G. Walker,
Tópico(s)Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
Resumoview Abstract Citations (21) References (17) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS IRAS Observations of the Pluto-Charon System Aumann, H. H. ; Walker, R. G. Abstract High-signal-to-noise-ratio observations of the Pluto-Charon system at 25, 60, and 100 microns using IRAS are combined with visual-magnitude and mutual-eclipse constraints to evaluate thermal models of Pluto and Charon. These models are consistent with eclipse observation by Dunbar and Tedesco (1986) but not with Reinsch and Pakull (1987). The most likely model for Charon is the standard asteroid model, typical for the icy Galilean and Saturnian satellites. Charon models with a significant atmosphere can be ruled out. Based on currently available radius and albedo constraints, no significant numerical distinction is possible between Pluto models ranging from isothermal spheres with surface emissivity between 0.4 and 0.9. Concerns regarding the viability of an emissivity as low as 0.4 favor the higher-emissivity models. The globally uniform surface temperature of Pluto may thus at present be as low as 45 K, with a methane column abundance of 6.7 cm atm. The most likely models are centered on radii of 1180 and 747 km and albedos of 0.47 and 0.26 for Pluto and Charon, respectively. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: October 1987 DOI: 10.1086/114545 Bibcode: 1987AJ.....94.1088A Keywords: Charon; Infrared Astronomy Satellite; Pluto (Planet); Signal To Noise Ratios; Astronomical Models; Thermal Emission; PLUTO; SATELLITES; PLUTO-CHARON SYSTEM; IRAS SATELLITE; RADIUS; ALBEDO; SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS; MAGNITUDE; ECLIPSE; THERMAL PROPERTIES; METHANE; MODELS; ATMOSPHERE; EMISSIVITY; SURFACE; ABUNDANCE; COMPARISONS; CHARON; Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Pluto; PLANETS: PLUTO; PLANETS: SATELLITES full text sources ADS |
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