IRAC Reflectances of Cold Classical KBOs and Centaurs

Details IRAC Reflectances of Cold Classical KBOs and Centaurs IRAC Reflectances of Cold Classical KBOs and Centaurs

Apr 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009sptz.prop60155e&link_type=abstract

Spitzer Proposal ID #60155

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Scientific paper

We propose to measure reflected fluxes of 22 Centaurs and 27 cold classical Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) with IRAC in order to determine surface compositions. The small bodies of the outer solar system provide probes of the statistical conditions, history, and interactions in the solar system. We focus in this proposal on two groups that isolate two key aspects of the complicated larger puzzle: starting compositions and physical effects of thermal evolution. The cold classical KBOs are the only dynamical group among the Kuiper belt that remain in (or very near) the region in which they formed (~40 AU), offering insight into the conditions in a known region of the early nebula. The prevailing hypothesis that their surfaces are dominated by complex organic molecules derived from irradiation of originally CH4-rich bodies will be directly tested by searching for strong absorption within the 3.6 micron channel. A subset will also be observed at 4.5 microns as a measure of other volatiles (e.g., residual CH4, CO2, N2) informative of original compositions. The Centaurs have been scattered inward into their unstable orbits among the giant planets. While closer to the Sun, accelerated thermal evolution is hypothesized to replace thin organic mantles with dust coatings through vigorous sublimation, creating the two distinct color groups (less red/gray and ultra-red). We will test this hypothesis by searching for and characterizing absorptions at 3.6 micron due to the hypothesized organics. The IRAC 3.6 and 4.5 micron reflectances will distinguish among multiple surface compositions that could explain the less red/gray group, only one of which (silicate dust) is consistent with the prevailing hypothesis. No other existing or near-term ground or space-based facility can measure reflectances at these critical wavelengths for these faint bodies. Our cycle-2 and cycle-4 programs to observe an initial set of outer solar system objects have been tremendously successful, and this proposal builds on that success.

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