On the global distribution of Pluto's atmosphere

Details On the global distribution of Pluto's atmosphere On the global distribution of Pluto's atmosphere

Apr 1983

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1983apj...267..872t&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 267, April 15, 1983, p. 872-881.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

34

Abundance, Atmospheric Tides, Charon, Methane, Planetary Atmospheres, Pluto (Planet), Atmospheric Heat Budget, Eclipses, Emissivity, Gravitational Effects, Insolation, Planetary Temperature, Radiative Heat Transfer, Solar Planetary Interactions, Pluto, Atmosphere, Distribution, Parameter, Characteristics, Features, Satellites, Charon, Thickness, Rotation, Tidal Effects, Ice, Opacity, Temperature, Methane, Abundance, Surface, Insolation, Radiation, Data, Absorption, Thermal Properties, Calculations, Physical

Scientific paper

The present investigation is relevant to the study of Pluto's current global and diurnal radiation balance. Strong gravitational tides are suggested by Charon's close proximity to Pluto (approximately 20,000 km) and Charon's large relative mass (roughly 0.25 Pluto's mass). Thus, the Pluto-Charon system replaces the earth-moon system as the best known example of a double planet. Methane is the only gas positively detected in Pluto's atmosphere. The tendency of the whole atmosphere to bulge preferentially toward the subsolar point as a result of the solar heating of the suface is considered, taking into account the longitudinal and the latitudinal tide. It is concluded that near perihelion, Pluto's atmosphere is essentially uniform over Pluto's surface. Its heat capacity by virtue of the heat of condensation is large enough that eclipses and the diurnal variation of insolation cause negligible freezing out of atmospheric gases.

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