Physical parameters of the Pluto-Charon system

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Astronomical Photometry, Charon, Eclipses, Pluto (Planet), Albedo, Density (Mass/Volume), Radii, Pluto, Pluto-Charon System, Satellites, Charon, Parameters, Astronomy, Photometry, Eclipses, Radius, Physical Properties, Comparisons, Density, Albedo, Rotation, Period, Eccentricity, Evolution, Telescope Methods, Earth-Based Observations, Tidal Effects, Orbital Elements, Analysis, Celestial Mechanics, Lightcurves, Inclination

Scientific paper

The authors report photometric observations of mutual Pluto-Charon eclipses in April 1986 and non-detection of eclipses in April 1985. Combining their data with previously published shallow eclipse events in early 1985 they determine radii of (1100±70) km and (580±50) km for Pluto and Charon, respectively, and deduce a systemic mean density ρ = (2.1±0.5) g/cm3 and geometric albedos p = 0.63±0.10 for Pluto and p = 0.49±0.10 for Charon. The rotational period of Pluto agrees to within 0.003% with the binary orbital cycle, with an upper limit of the projected eccentricity (e cos ω) of 0.002. Both findings confirm that the Pluto-Charon system is completely tidally evolved.

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