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Charon's radius and atmospheric constraints from observations of a stellar occultation

Author

Listed:
  • A. A. S. Gulbis

    (Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences)

  • J. L. Elliot

    (Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Lowell Observatory)

  • M. J. Person

    (Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences)

  • E. R. Adams

    (Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences)

  • B. A. Babcock

    (Physics Department
    Universidad Católica del Norte)

  • M. Emilio

    (Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa)

  • J. W. Gangestad

    (Williams College
    Universidad Católica del Norte)

  • S. D. Kern

    (Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences)

  • E. A. Kramer

    (Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences)

  • D. J. Osip

    (Carnegie Observatories)

  • J. M. Pasachoff

    (Williams College)

  • S. P. Souza

    (Williams College)

  • T. Tuvikene

    (Universidad Católica del Norte
    Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Abstract

Charon among the stars Stellar occultations, when a Solar System object passes between us and a star and blocks its light, are eagerly awaited by astronomers as they provide a chance to make measurements that are not normally possible. It had been 25 years since a solitary observation of a stellar occultation by Pluto's moon Charon. But on 11 July 2005 another occurred and this time observatories across South America were ideally placed to track it. The resulting haul of data has been used to obtain an accurate measure of Charon's radius, of close to 605 km, and to establish an upper limit (a rather low one) on the density of its atmosphere. Visit tinyurl.com/9c56s for a QuickTime movie of the event.

Suggested Citation

  • A. A. S. Gulbis & J. L. Elliot & M. J. Person & E. R. Adams & B. A. Babcock & M. Emilio & J. W. Gangestad & S. D. Kern & E. A. Kramer & D. J. Osip & J. M. Pasachoff & S. P. Souza & T. Tuvikene, 2006. "Charon's radius and atmospheric constraints from observations of a stellar occultation," Nature, Nature, vol. 439(7072), pages 48-51, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:439:y:2006:i:7072:d:10.1038_nature04276
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04276
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