Radiation Processing in the Kuiper Belt

Radiation Processingin the

Kuiper Belt

Mike BrownCaltech

Spectrum of pluto

Pluto

Pluto

Pluto

CH4

N2

C2H2

C2H4

C2H6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:EightTNOs.png

(Brown et al 2007)

Pluto

2005 FY9

2005 FY9

CH4

2005 FY9

2005 FY9

2005 FY9

C2H6

2005 FY9

C2H6+C2H4

2005 FY9

C2H6+C2H4

2005 FY9

C2H6+C2H4+C2H2

2005 FY9

CH4

2005 FY9CH4

C2H2

C2H4

C2H6

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007a)

Tem

pera

ture

(K)

Diameter (km)

`

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007a)

Tem

pera

ture

(K)

Diameter (km)

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007a)

Tem

pera

ture

(K)

Diameter (km)

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007a) Diameter (km)

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007a) Diameter (km)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:EightTNOs.png

Brown et al. 2005

Eris

Eris

No N2 2.148 micron feature detectedNo CO 2.352 micron feature detected

Alpha N2

Beta N2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:EightTNOs.png

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007a) Diameter (km)

Quaoar - Water ice spectrum

(Jewitt & Luu 2004)

Quaoar Spectrum

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007b)

Quaoar Spectrum40% crystalline water ice w/ 10 micron grains

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007b)

Quaoar with water ice + methane model

Water ice

Water ice+methane

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007b)

Quaoar

C2H6

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007b)

Nor

mal

ized

Refl

ecta

nce

Quaoar with full spectral model

35% crystalline water ice, 6% methane, 4% ethane, 55% dark continuummethane methane methane

ethane

Schaller & Brown ApJL (2007b)

2005 FY9

Quaoar

Eris

Pluto