Why is Pluto bright? Implications of the albedo and lightcurve behavior of
Pluto

by: Stern, S. A.; Trafton, L. M.; Gladstone, G. R.

ABSTRACT

Several mechanisms accounting for Pluto's high geometric albedo in the
presence of CH4 and various radiations are investigated, in light of the
hypothesis that the planet must replenish its surface with clean volatiles
on a time-scale of less than 20,000 years. Pluto's high albedo is explained
by a CH4 snow cover created by orbital atmospheric sublimation and freeze-
out cycles. As a result of the 250-year atmospheric regeneration time-scale,
large surface CH4 crystals will be deprived of sufficient time for growth
it is predicted that the albedo decline will reverse following a 7-17 year
phase lag after perihelion.

Icarus, ISSN 0019-1035, vol. 75, Sept. 1988, p. 485-498.