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Subaru Infrared Spectroscopy of the Pluto-Charon System
We present the results of the near-infrared spectroscopy of thePluto-Charon system, conducted in the K band at two different sub-Earthlongitudes. The spatially resolved images resulted in separated spectrawith a spectral resolution of approximately 530. The spectrum of Charonshowed a broad absorption feature at 2 mu m during both orbital phases,suggesting a uniform distribution of water ice. In the separatedspectrum of Pluto obtained in June, we confirmed the absorption bands ofsolid methane, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen ices. Additional weak dipshave been found at 2.28, 2.32, and 2.40 mu m in the spectrum of theopposite side observed in May. In order to examine the carrier of thesedips, we performed model calculations of the reflectance of Pluto usingHapke's bidirectional reflectance model for icy intimate mixtures. Byadding a small amount of solid ethane into the mixture, we successfullyreproduced the dips at 2.28 and 2.315 mu m, but the absorption at 2.40mu m is more distinct than that in the observed spectrum.
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Ophiucus |
| Right ascension: | 16h41m48.63s |
| Declination: | -07°54'30.7" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 9.572 |
| Proper motion RA: | 5.2 |
| Proper motion Dec: | -19.1 |
| B-T magnitude: | 10.443 |
| V-T magnitude: | 9.644 |
Catalogs and designations:
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INHABITED SKY
