Evidence for Crystalline Water and Ammonia Ices on Pluto's Satellite Charon

Observations have resolved the satellite Charon from its parent planet Pluto, giving separate spectra of the two objects from 1.0 to 2.5 micrometers. The spectrum of Charon is found to be different from that of Pluto, with water ice in crystalline form covering most of the surface of the satellite....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2000-01, Vol.287 (5450), p.107-109
Main Authors: Brown, Michael E., Calvin, Wendy M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Albedo
Ammonia
Artificial satellites
Astronomical objects
Astronomy
Chemical composition
Crystallization
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Extraterrestrial Environment
Geology
Hydrates
Ice
Italian ices
Planetary, asteroid, and satellite characteristics and properties
Planets, their satellites and rings. Asteroids
Pluto
Solar system
Solar systems
Space life sciences
Spectrophotometry, Infrared
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
Spectrum Analysis
Temperature
Water
Wavelengths
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Summary:Observations have resolved the satellite Charon from its parent planet Pluto, giving separate spectra of the two objects from 1.0 to 2.5 micrometers. The spectrum of Charon is found to be different from that of Pluto, with water ice in crystalline form covering most of the surface of the satellite. In addition, an absorption feature in Charon's spectrum suggests the presence of ammonia ices. Ammonia ice-water ice mixtures have been proposed as the cause of flowlike features observed on the surfaces of many icy satellites. The existence of such ices on Charon may indicate geological activity in the satellite's past.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.287.5450.107