Optical spectroscopy of the large Kuiper Belt objects 136472 (2005 FY9) and 136108 (2003 EL61).

Tegler, S. C. and Grundy, W. M. and Romanishin, W. and Consolmagno, G. J. and Mogren, K. and Vilas, F. (2007) Optical spectroscopy of the large Kuiper Belt objects 136472 (2005 FY9) and 136108 (2003 EL61). Astronomical Journal, 133 (2). pp. 526-530. ISSN 1538-3881

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Abstract

We present high signal precision optical reflectance spectra of the large Kuiper Belt objects 2005 FY9 and 2003 EL61. The spectrum of 2005 FY9 exhibits strong CH4 ice bands. A comparison between the spectrum and a Hapke model indicates that the CH4 bands are shifted 3.25 ± 2.25 Å relative to pure CH4 ice, suggesting the presence of another ice component on the surface of 2005 FY9, possibly N2 ice, CO ice, or Ar. The spectrum of 2003 EL61 is remarkably featureless. There is a hint of an O2 ice band at 5773 Å; however, this feature needs to be confirmed by future spectroscopic observations of 2003 EL61 with a higher continuum signal precision sufficient to detect a second, weaker O2 ice band at 6275 Å. [on SciFinder(R)]

Item Type:	Article
Publisher’s Statement:	© 2007 The American Astronomical Society.
ID number or DOI:	10.1086/510134
Keywords:	centaurs; eso large program; infrared-spectroscopy; Kuiper belt; methane; Pluto; sized object; spectrum; Surface; techniques : spectroscopic; Trans-Neptunian objects; water ice
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Faculty/Staff
Department/Unit:	College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Science > Physics and Astronomy
Date Deposited:	30 Sep 2015 16:48
URI:	http://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/381

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