Search for nonmethane hydrocarbons on Pluto

Takanori Sasaki; Ai Kanno; Masateru Ishiguro; Daisuke Kinoshita; Ryosuke Nakamura

doi:10.1086/427553

Search for nonmethane hydrocarbons on Pluto

Takanori Sasaki, Ai Kanno, Masateru Ishiguro, Daisuke Kinoshita, Ryosuke Nakamura

Graduate Institute of Astronomy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have carried out infrared high-resolution spectroscopy of the Pluto-Charon system in the L band with the adaptive optics system on the Subaru telescope. The spectrum is dominated by the strong and broad absorption features of methane but includes some additional features. Comparing the spectrum with model calculations, we suggest that absorption features around 3.1, 3.2, and 3.35 μm could be an indication of nonmethane hydrocarbons on Pluto's uppermost surface. Implications of the estimated mass ratio between hydrocarbons for the formation and evolution of Pluto are discussed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	L57-L60
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	618
Issue number	1 II
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/427553
State	Published - 1 Jan 2005

Keywords

Infrared: solar system
Kuiper Belt
Planets and satellites: individual (Pluto)

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10.1086/427553

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abstract = "We have carried out infrared high-resolution spectroscopy of the Pluto-Charon system in the L band with the adaptive optics system on the Subaru telescope. The spectrum is dominated by the strong and broad absorption features of methane but includes some additional features. Comparing the spectrum with model calculations, we suggest that absorption features around 3.1, 3.2, and 3.35 μm could be an indication of nonmethane hydrocarbons on Pluto's uppermost surface. Implications of the estimated mass ratio between hydrocarbons for the formation and evolution of Pluto are discussed.",

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AU - Sasaki, Takanori

AU - Kanno, Ai

AU - Ishiguro, Masateru

AU - Kinoshita, Daisuke

AU - Nakamura, Ryosuke

PY - 2005/1/1

Y1 - 2005/1/1

N2 - We have carried out infrared high-resolution spectroscopy of the Pluto-Charon system in the L band with the adaptive optics system on the Subaru telescope. The spectrum is dominated by the strong and broad absorption features of methane but includes some additional features. Comparing the spectrum with model calculations, we suggest that absorption features around 3.1, 3.2, and 3.35 μm could be an indication of nonmethane hydrocarbons on Pluto's uppermost surface. Implications of the estimated mass ratio between hydrocarbons for the formation and evolution of Pluto are discussed.

AB - We have carried out infrared high-resolution spectroscopy of the Pluto-Charon system in the L band with the adaptive optics system on the Subaru telescope. The spectrum is dominated by the strong and broad absorption features of methane but includes some additional features. Comparing the spectrum with model calculations, we suggest that absorption features around 3.1, 3.2, and 3.35 μm could be an indication of nonmethane hydrocarbons on Pluto's uppermost surface. Implications of the estimated mass ratio between hydrocarbons for the formation and evolution of Pluto are discussed.

KW - Infrared: solar system

KW - Kuiper Belt

KW - Planets and satellites: individual (Pluto)

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DO - 10.1086/427553

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SN - 0004-637X

VL - 618

SP - L57-L60

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 1 II

ER -

Search for nonmethane hydrocarbons on Pluto

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Keywords

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