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 journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)II/-
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume4007
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes
EventAdaptive Optical Systems Technology - Munich, Ger
Duration: Mar 29 2000Mar 31 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of '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'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this