The UV spectrum of Pluto-Charon - IUE observations from 2600 to 3100 A

by: Stern, S. A.; Skinner, T. E.; Brosch, N.; Van Santvoort, J.; Trafton,
L. M.

ABSTRACT

Observations of the UV spectra of the Pluto-Charon system were obtained
between 1987 and 1988 using the large aperture of the IUE long-wavelength
prime spectrograph. At the resolution and SNR of the data, no gas-phase
spectral identifications were made. The present data indicate a geometric
albedo of 0.35 or - 0.05. Curve fitting the geometric albedo from 2600-3100
A, a blue slope is found which corresponds to a decrease of about 12 per-
cent per 1000 A. An albedo reversal or trough between about 3000 A and
the shortest ground-based data (at about 3500 A) is noted which may be due
to a spectral absorption feature on the surface.

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, ISSN 0004-637X, vol. 342, July 1, 1989, p.
533-538.