IRAS observations of the Pluto-Charon system
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. 21 references.
- Research Organization:
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena; Jamieson Science and Engineering, Inc., Felton, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 5671604
- Journal Information:
- Astron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astron. J.; (United States) Vol. 94; ISSN ANJOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALKANES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HYDROCARBONS
INFRARED RADIATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANETS
PLUTO PLANET
RADIATIONS
SATELLITES
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO