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arXiv · 1402.4842

Near-Infrared Spectral Monitoring of Pluto's Ices II: Recent Decline of CO and N$_2$ Ice Absorptions

W. M. Grundy·C. B. Olkin·L. A. Young·B. J. Holler
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Abstract

IRTF/SpeX observations of Pluto's near-infrared reflectance spectrum during 2013 show vibrational absorption features of CO and N$_2$ ices at 1.58 and 2.15 {\mu}m, respectively, that are weaker than had been observed during the preceding decade. To reconcile declining volatile ice absorptions with a lack of decline in Pluto's atmospheric pressure, we suggest these ices could be getting harder to see because of increasing scattering by small CH$_4$ crystals, rather than because they are disappearing from the observed hemisphere.

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W. M. Grundy, C. B. Olkin, L. A. Young, B. J. Holler. 2014-02-19. Near-Infrared Spectral Monitoring of Pluto's Ices II: Recent Decline of CO and N$_2$ Ice Absorptions. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2014.02.025

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