Ices on the Surface of Triton
Abstract
The near-infrared spectrum of Triton reveals ices of nitrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, of which nitrogen is the dominant component. Carbon dioxide ice may be spatially segregated from the other more volatile ices, covering about 10 percent of Triton's surface. The absence of ices of other hydrocarbons and nitriles challenges existing models of methane and nitrogen photochemistry on Triton.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- August 1993
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.261.5122.742
- Bibcode:
- 1993Sci...261..742C
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Chemistry;
- Carbon Dioxide;
- Ice;
- Satellite Atmospheres;
- Triton;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Infrared Spectra;
- Photochemical Reactions;
- Satellite Surfaces;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Satellites of Neptune;
- NEPTUNE;
- TRITON;
- SATELLITES;
- ICE;
- SURFACE;
- SPECTROSCOPY;
- WAVELENGTHS;
- NEAR-INFRARED;
- COMPOSITION;
- NITROGEN;
- METHANE;
- CARBON MONOXIDE;
- SPECTRA;
- CARBON DIOXIDE;
- ATMOSPHERE;
- EARTH-BASED OBSERVATIONS;
- REFLECTANCE;
- MODEL;
- PROCEDURE;
- PARAMETERS;
- ABUNDANCE;
- VOLATILITY;
- HYPOTHESES;
- HYDROCARBONS