Detection of Gaseous Methane on Pluto
Abstract
We obtained Pluto's spectrum using the CSHELL echelle spectrograph at NASA's IRTF on Mauna Kea, on 25-26 May 1992, with a spectral resolution of 13,300. The spectral range (5998-6018 cm -1, or 1661.8-1666.9 nm) includes the R(0) and the Q(1)- Q(9) lines of the 2ν 3band of methane. The resulting spectrum shows the first detection of gaseous methane on Pluto, with a column height of 1.20 +3.15-0.87cm-A (3.22 +8.46-2.34× 10 19molecule cm -2).
- Publication:
-
Icarus
- Pub Date:
- May 1997
- DOI:
- 10.1006/icar.1997.5709
- Bibcode:
- 1997Icar..127..258Y