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Detection of Gaseous Methane on PlutoWe obtained Pluto's spectrum using the CSHELL echelle spectrograph at NASA's IRTF on Mauna Kea, on 25-26 May 1992, with a spectral resolution of 13,300. The spectral range (5998 - 6018 per centimeter, or 1661.8 - 1666.9 nm) includes the R(0) and the Q(1) - Q(9) lines of the 2v3 band of methane. The resulting spectrum shows the first detection of gaseous methane on Pluto, with a column height of 1.20 (sup +3.15) (sub -0.87) cm-A (3.22 (sup +8.46) (sub -2.34) x 10(exp 19) molecule per square centimeter)).
Document ID
20020032307
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Young, Leslie
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Tokunaga, Alan
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI United States)
Elliot, J.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA United States)
deBergh, Catherine
(Observatoire de Paris-Meudon France)
Owen, Tobias
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI United States)
Witteborn, Fred C.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 196-41-57
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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