Abstract On the eve of the Voyager encounter with Neptune and Triton, our knowledge of the surface and atmosphere of the satellite has made some progress. Methane, and perhaps molecular nitrogen, appear to dominate the surface and atmospheric chemistry, but details remain to be filled in by Voyager. Sketchy evidence suggests changes in the disposition and state of the volatile materials on this body in the past few years, perhaps in response to the extreme seasons. Pluto and its satellite Charon are at last revealed in some detail, chiefly resulting from observations of the mutual transits and occultations of 1985–1990. A stellar occultation by Pluto in 1988 has given the first detailed information on the planet's atmosphere. The density of the Pluto-Charon system indicates a bulk composition consisting of silicates and water ice, suggesting formation directly from the solar nebula.
Triton, Pluto and Charon
Advances in Space Research ; 10 , 1 ; 199-207
1989-01-01
9 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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