Adaptive optics imaging of Pluto-Charon and the discovery of a moon around the asteroid 45 Eugenia: The potential of adaptive optics in planetary astronomy

L. M. Close; W. J. Merline; D. Tholen; T. Owen; F. Roddier; C. Dumas

Adaptive optics imaging of Pluto-Charon and the discovery of a moon around the asteroid 45 Eugenia: The potential of adaptive optics in planetary astronomy

L. M. Close, W. J. Merline, D. Tholen, T. Owen, F. Roddier, C. Dumas

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Abstract

Adaptive optics was utilized to discover a moon around asteroid 45 Eugenia and used to resolve the Pluto-Charon system. It was observed that Eugenia is elongated and the bulk density of the asteroid was found to be low. This means that the asteroid is either a burned out comet or has a hollow `rubber-pile' structure. The images were of high spatial resolution and clearly showed that Pluto is separated from Charon. Accurate photometry was possible for both Pluto and Charon. The images showed that Pluto's albedo is mainly governed by the presence of CH₄ ice covering its surface and Charon is mostly covered with water-ice.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	II/-
Journal	Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume	4007
State	Published - 2000
Externally published	Yes
Event	Adaptive Optical Systems Technology - Munich, Ger Duration: Mar 29 2000 → Mar 31 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Condensed Matter Physics
Computer Science Applications
Applied Mathematics
Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Cite this

Adaptive optics imaging of Pluto-Charon and the discovery of a moon around the asteroid 45 Eugenia: The potential of adaptive optics in planetary astronomy. / Close, L. M.; Merline, W. J.; Tholen, D. et al.
In: Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, Vol. 4007, 2000, p. II/-.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

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AU - Merline, W. J.

AU - Tholen, D.

AU - Owen, T.

AU - Roddier, F.

AU - Dumas, C.

PY - 2000

Y1 - 2000

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AB - Adaptive optics was utilized to discover a moon around asteroid 45 Eugenia and used to resolve the Pluto-Charon system. It was observed that Eugenia is elongated and the bulk density of the asteroid was found to be low. This means that the asteroid is either a burned out comet or has a hollow `rubber-pile' structure. The images were of high spatial resolution and clearly showed that Pluto is separated from Charon. Accurate photometry was possible for both Pluto and Charon. The images showed that Pluto's albedo is mainly governed by the presence of CH4 ice covering its surface and Charon is mostly covered with water-ice.

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Adaptive optics imaging of Pluto-Charon and the discovery of a moon around the asteroid 45 Eugenia: The potential of adaptive optics in planetary astronomy

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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