Abstract
Stellar occultation data for Charon obtained by Walker (1980, Mon. Not. R. Aston. Soc. 192, 47p–50p) have been fit by a model that includes possible differential refraction by an atmosphere, followed by an abrupt occultation by Charon's limb. We find a lower limit (3 σ, where σ = 0.8 km) on Charon's radius of 601.5 km, which can be used as a constraint for modeling the mutual event data. Although our model fits favor the possibility of a Charonian atmosphere (composition undetermined), the time resolution of the data is insufficient to be certain that an atmosphere has been detected. The data could also be interpreted as being indicative of (i) a slight extinction near Charon or (ii) an as yet unidentified effect, not associated with Charon. For the latter possibilities, we find an upper limit on a Charonian atmosphere of 1 to 57 cm-am, the exact amount depending on the gas assumed to be the major constituent.
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