Other
Scientific paper
Oct 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010dps....42.4006w&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #42, #40.06; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.1000
Other
Scientific paper
136108 Haumea and 136472 Makemake are two of the largest known objects in the Kuiper Belt. They have orbits typical for classical Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), with semi-major axes of 43 and 46 AU respectively. We know from visible and near-infrared (0.4 to 2.5 μm) spectroscopy that the surface of Haumea is primarily comprised of water (H2O) ice (Pinilla-Alonso et al 2009) and Makemake's of methane (CH4) ice (Brown et al 2007, Licandro et al 2006). Increasing the wavelength range of data further constrains the composition of other materials on their surfaces. We report measurements of reflectances of Haumea and Makemake at four infrared wavelengths, 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 μm, using the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) on the Spitzer Space Telescope. These longer wavelength albedos are added to existing data to extend the KBOs' known spectra to a broader range. Compositional spectral modeling is used to search these data for absorption by other materials, including volatiles. Both Haumea and Makemake are detected at 3.6 and 4.5 μm. Makemake is also detected at 5.8 μm. Upper limits for the wavelengths at which the objects were not detected provide useful constraints as well. We find the following results so far: Haumea has an albedo that is higher at 3.6 than 4.5 μm, which is consistent with a mixture of amorphous water ice, crystalline water ice, and a small amount of graphite, or other carbon. Makemake's albedo is lower at 3.6 μm than 4.5 μm, consistent with methane ice. Makemake has a more complex spectrum, requiring the presence of ethane and tholin or other organic ice; although addition of these materials improve the model fits, we do not claim to have identified them. Work continues to improve the model fits of spectra from Haumea, Makemake and other KBOs.
Cruikshank Dale
Dalle Ore Cristina
Emery Jon
Fernandez Yanga
Stansberry John
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