CVF spectrophotometry of Pluto - Correlation of composition with albedo. [Circularly variable filter]

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Icarus (International Journal of the Solar System); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(91)90177-U· OSTI ID:5911995

Marcialis, R L; Lebofsky, L A ^[1]

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1. JPL, Pasadena, CA (USA) Arizona Univ., Tucson (USA)

The present time-resolved, 0.96-2.65-micron spectrophotometry for the Pluto-Charon system indicates night-to-night variations in the depths of the methane absorptions such that the bands' equivalent width is near minimum light. The interpretation of these data in terms of a depletion of methane in dark regions of the planet, relative to bright ones, is consistent with the Buie and Fink (1987) observations. The near-IR spectrum of Pluto seems to be dominated by surface frost. It is suggested that the dark equatorial regions of Pluto are redder than those of moderate albedo. 28 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5911995
• Journal Information: Icarus (International Journal of the Solar System); (USA), Vol. 89; ISSN 0019-1035
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
PLUTO PLANET
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
ALBEDO
DAILY VARIATIONS
INFRARED SPECTRA
METHANE
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
PHOTOMETRY
SATELLITES
ALKANES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HYDROCARBONS
INFRARED RADIATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANETS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
VARIATIONS
640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena