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The detection of eclipses in the Pluto-Charon systemThe first eclipses between Pluto and its satellite ('Charon') were detected in January and February 1985, confirming the satellite's existence. Eclipses lasting a few hours will now occur at 3.20 day intervals for the next 5 to 6 years and then will cease for about 120 years. Careful observations of these eclipses will allow greatly improved determinations to be made of several physical parameters for the Pluto-Charon system: the diameters of the planet and satellite, the surface albedo distribution on one hemisphere of the planet, the orbit of the satellite, and the mass of the planet and hence its density. Knowledge of the density will provide a constraint on models of Pluto's bulk composition.
Document ID
19850054099
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Binzel, R. P.
(Texas, University Austin, TX, United States)
Tholen, D. J.
(Hawaii, University Honolulu, HI, United States)
Tedesco, E. F.
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Buratti, B. J.
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Nelson, R. M.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
June 7, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 228
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85A36250
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-44-012-152
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-12-001-057
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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