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Occultation evidence for an atmosphere on Pluto

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 16:54 authored by Hubbard, WB, Hunten, DM, Dieters, S, Kym HillKym Hill, Watson, RD
On 9 June 1988, Pluto occulted a 12th magnitude star 1. Several observations of the occultation were obtained from Australia, New Zealand, and the south Pacific 2 and indicated that the initial decline in stellar flux was gradual, as would be expected if the starlight was defocused by an extended atmosphere around the planet. Here we interpret data obtained from the 1- telescope at the University of Tasmania, Hobart, in terms of a theory for occultation by an atmosphere whose thickness is comparable to the planetary radius. The data can be satisfactorily fitted with a methane atmosphere at plausible pressures and temperatures. The surface pressures inferred from this single chord are uncertain by an order of magnitude, but are consistent with spectroscopic constraints. © 1988 Nature Publishing Group.

History

Publication title

Nature

Volume

336

Issue

6198

Pagination

452-454

ISSN

0028-0836

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Place of publication

London, England

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the physical sciences

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