Subaru Infrared Spectroscopy of the Pluto–Charon System

Abstract

We present the results of the near-infrared spectroscopy of the Pluto-Charon system, conducted in the K band at two different sub-Earth longitudes. The spatially resolved images resulted in separated spectra with a spectral resolution of approximately 530. The spectrum of Charon showed a broad absorption feature at 2 μm during both orbital phases, suggesting a uniform distribution of water ice. In the separated spectrum of Pluto obtained in June, we confirmed the absorption bands of solid methane, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen ices. Additional weak dips have been found at 2.28, 2.32, and 2.40 μm in the spectrum of the opposite side observed in May. In order to examine the carrier of these dips, we performed model calculations of the reflectance of Pluto using Hapke's bidirectional reflectance model for icy intimate mixtures. By adding a small amount of solid ethane into the mixture, we successfully reproduced the dips at 2.28 and 2.315 μm, but the absorption at 2.40 μm is more distinct than that in the observed spectrum.