High Resolution Mapping of Pluto's Albedo Distribution

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Hst Proposal Id #5330 Solar System Satellites

Scientific paper

This proposal requests time to map Pluto's albedo distribution, using the highest possible resolution of the CYCLE 4 HST. Maps will be made in several key UV and visible bandpasses. Our scientific objectives are to (a) study the distribution of light and dark areas, (b) make the first disk-resolved estimates of Pluto's limb darkening, and (c) compositional discriminate pure from contaminated frost regions. These objectives have not been previously achievable, but are essential to understanding the surface morphology, volatile transport, and the root cause of Pluto's secular lightcurve variations. It may also be possible to detect evidence of the reported limb haze layer(s) in Pluto's atmosphere. These maps will also provide the first direct check on Pluto maps made through indirect techniques. Owing to Pluto's elliptic orbit, we expect the distribution of albedo to change (on a years-to-decade timescale) as Pluto draws away from perihelion and volatile transport proceeds. The proposed observations will document the albedo state at three rotational epochs near the time of perihelion. These maps will be obtained in two colors, by the FOC. No other astronomical instrument has sufficient resolution to accomplish these important scientific objectives.

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