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Spectrophotometry and organic matter on Iapetus. 1: Composition modelsIapetus shows a greater hemispheric albedo asymmetry than any other body in the solar system. Hapke scattering theory and optical constants measured in the laboratory are used to identify possible compositions for the dark material on the leading hemisphere of Iapetus. The materials considered are poly-HCN, kerogen, Murchison organic residue, Titan tholin, ice tholin, and water ice. Three-component mixtures of these materials are modeled in intraparticle mixture of 25% poly-HCN, 10% Murchison residue, and 65% water ice is found to best fit the spectrum, albedo, and phase behavior of the dark material. The Murchison residue and/or water ice can be replaced by kerogen and ice tholin, respectively, and still produce very good fits. Areal and particle mixtures of poly-HCN, Titan tholin, and either ice tholin or Murchison residue are also possible models. Poly-HCN is a necessary component in almost all good models. The presence of poly-HCN can be further tested by high-resolution observations near 4.5 micrometers.
Document ID
19950059865
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Wilson, Peter D.
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Sagan, Carl
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
April 25, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 100
Issue: E4
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
95A91464
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1870
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1896
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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