Water frost on Charon

by: Buie, M. W.; Cruikshank, D. P.; Lebofsky, L. A.; Tedesco, E. F.

ABSTRACT

New spectra of the Pluto-Charon system taken just before and during a
total eclipse of the satellite are presented. The spectrum of Charon
extracted from the data reveals the signature of water ice. There is no
evidence for any methane or ammonia frost on the surface of Charon. The
significance of these findings for the evolution of the Pluto-Charon
system are discussed.

Nature, ISSN 0028-0836, vol. 329, Oct. 8, 1987, p. 522, 523.