Pluto eclipses of and by Charon must be unequal
Abstract
Fraunhofer diffraction theory predicts that reduction in total magnitude of the Pluto-Charon system due to an eclipse of Pluto by its satellite Charon will, under some circumstances, be nearly double the reduction due to an eclipse of Charon by Pluto, even if their albedos are identical and uniform. Such a difference has been detected in the observations, but ascribed to other causes. Important inferences on the dynamics and physics of Pluto-Charon hinge on a proper explanation of this asymmetry. The diffraction effect is both wavelength and telescope dependent, and therefore the authors' hypothesis is easily testable.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- January 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987A&A...171L...5M
- Keywords:
-
- Charon;
- Diffraction Patterns;
- Eclipses;
- Fraunhofer Lines;
- Pluto (Planet);
- Albedo;
- Computational Astrophysics;
- Spectral Energy Distribution;
- Two Body Problem;
- PLUTO;
- SATELLITES;
- CHARON;
- ECLIPSES;
- PLUTO-CHARON SYSTEM;
- ASTRONOMY;
- MAGNITUDE;
- ALBEDO;
- SYMMETRY;
- DIFFRACTION;
- HYPOTHESES;
- OCCULTATIONS;
- EARTH-BASED OBSERVATIONS;
- TELESCOPE METHODS;
- ANALYSIS;
- CALCULATIONS;
- PROCEDURE;
- GEOMETRY;
- PARAMETERS;
- Astronomy; Pluto