Pluto-Charon mutual events
Abstract
Since 1985, planetary astronomers have been working to take advantage of a once-per-century apparent alignment between Pluto and its satellite, Charon, which has allowed mutual occultation and transit events to be observed. These events, which will cease in 1990, have permitted the first precise determinations of their individual radii, densities, and surface compositions. In addition, information on their surface albedo distributions can be obtained.
- Publication:
-
Geophysical Research Letters
- Pub Date:
- November 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1029/GL016i011p01205
- Bibcode:
- 1989GeoRL..16.1205B
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Photometry;
- Charon;
- Occultation;
- Planetary Mass;
- Pluto (Planet);
- Physical Properties;
- Solar System;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- Planetology: Fluid Planets: Origin and evolution;
- Planetology: Solid Surface Planets and Satellites: Composition;
- Planetology: Solid Surface Planets and Satellites: Orbital and rotational dynamics;
- Planetology: Solid Surface Planets and Satellites: Surfaces;
- Planetology: Solid Surface Planets and Satellites: General or miscellaneous