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New Horizons Photometry of Pluto's Moon Charon
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Abstract
The New Horizons spacecraft extended the range in solar phase angle coverage for Pluto’s moon Charon from 1.°8—the maximum observable from Earth—to 170°. This extraordinary expansion in range has enabled photometric modeling and a robust determination of Charon’s phase integral and Bond albedo at visible wavelengths. Photometric modeling shows that Charon is similar in its photometric properties to other icy moons, except that its single particle phase function is more isotropic, suggesting the Kuiper Belt may represent a new regime for surface alteration processes. Charon’s phase integral is 0.70 ± 0.04 and its Bond albedo is 0.29 ± 0.05.
American Astronomical Society
Title: New Horizons Photometry of Pluto's Moon Charon
Description:
Abstract
The New Horizons spacecraft extended the range in solar phase angle coverage for Pluto’s moon Charon from 1.
°8—the maximum observable from Earth—to 170°.
This extraordinary expansion in range has enabled photometric modeling and a robust determination of Charon’s phase integral and Bond albedo at visible wavelengths.
Photometric modeling shows that Charon is similar in its photometric properties to other icy moons, except that its single particle phase function is more isotropic, suggesting the Kuiper Belt may represent a new regime for surface alteration processes.
Charon’s phase integral is 0.
70 ± 0.
04 and its Bond albedo is 0.
29 ± 0.
05.
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