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The wavelength dependence of Triton's light curveUsing Voyager observations, it is demonstrated that Triton's orbital light curve is strongly wavelength-dependent, a characteristic which readily explains some of the apparent discrepancies among pre-Voyager telescopic measurements. Specifically, a light curve amplitude (peak to peak) is found that decreases systematically with increasing wavelength from about 0.08 magnitude (peak to peak) near 200 nm to less than 0.02 magnitude near 1000 nm. Peak brightness occurs near 90 deg orbital longitude (leading hemisphere). The brightness variation across this hemisphere is close to sinusoidal; the variation across the darker hemisphere is more complex. The decrease in light curve amplitude with increasing wavelength appears to be due to a decrease in contrast among surface markings, rather than to atmospheric obscuration. The model also explains the observed decrease in the amplitude of Triton's light curve at visible wavelengths over the past decade, a decrease related to the current migration of the subsolar latitude toward the south pole; it is predicted that this trend will continue into the 1990s.
Document ID
19920029304
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hillier, J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Veverka, J.
(Cornell Univ. Ithaca, NY, United States)
Helfenstein, P.
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Mcewen, A.
(USGS Flagstaff, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
October 30, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research Supplement
Volume: 96
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
92A11928
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1221
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7156
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASA ORDER W-15814
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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