Thermal light curve of 20000 Varuna with Herschel-PACS
Abstract
Classical trans-neptunian object (TNO) 20000 Varuna was observed in 2011 with Herschel-PACS within the "TNOs are Cool" key programme [1] in order to obtain its thermal light curve. Because of the large amplitude of the optical rotational light curve it was expected that the thermal light curve would be detectable from Herschel Space Observatory. Varuna's thermal lightcurve is clearly detected in the Herschel-PACS observations at 100 μm. The comparison of the thermal light curve with the optical one allow us to conclude that the light curve is mainly due to the elongated shape of the object, with perhaps some contributions of terrain with special features that cause some modulation to the light curve. Thermal and thermo-physical models are applied to the thermal light curve to derive equivalent radiometric diameter, albedo, thermal and thermo-physical properties of this trans-neptunian object.
- Publication:
-
European Planetary Science Congress
- Pub Date:
- September 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013EPSC....8..665S