Bibcode
Licandro, J.; Campins, H.; de Leon Cruz, J.; Gil-Hutton, R.; Lara-Lopez, L. M.
Bibliographical reference
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #35, #39.11; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 35, p.991
Advertised on:
5
2003
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
We present the results of our near-infrared spectroscopic program of
Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), Centaurs and comet nuclei. TNOs,
centaurs, and Jupiter family (JF) comets are three intimately related
populations of minor planet bodies originated in the outer solar system.
They probably contain some of the least modified materials remaining
from the protosolar nebula. The study of their physical properties and
evolution provide invaluable cosmogonical information. Near-infrared
spectroscopy is a diagnostic method for remote determination of the
surface composition of these objects. Taking advantage of the unique
high efficiency, very low resolution mode of the new Near Infrared
Camera Spectrograph (NICS) instrument installed at the 3.56m italian
Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG, Roque de los Muchachos Observatory,
Canary Islands, Spain), we started a program to obtain low resolution
spectra of these objects late 2000. In this mode a prism-based optical
element, the Amici device, is used to obtain in the detector a complete
0.85-2.45 microns long slit spectrum of the astronomical source, with an
approximately constant resolving power R 50, when the 1" slit is used.
In addition to the already published spectra of (38628) Huya and (20000)
Varuna (Licandro et al. 2001, A&A 373, 29L), and (28978) Ixion
(Licandro et al. 2002, A&A 388, 9L) and 124P/Mrkos (Licandro et al.
2003, A&A 398, 45L) we present new spectra of the TNOs (38628) Huya,
(50000) Quaoar, and 1999 TC36, and the Centaurs (8405) Asbolus, (54598)
2000 QC243,(32532) Thereus, (31824) Elatus, and 2002 PN34. Results on
comet 28P/Neujmin 1 will be also presented by Campins et al. (this
conference). Water ice absorption bands are present in the spectra of
several objects. Evidence of surface inhomogeneities is also presented,
in particular in the case of (32532) Thereus that was observed during an
almost complete rotation. The results are discussed in the framework of
the possible resurfacing mechanisms proposed (space weathering, coma
activity and collisions).