Trans-Neptunian objects are probably primitive remnants from the early accretional phases of the solar system and may contain the most pristine unprocessed material. To investigate the surface properties of these objects we started an observational campaign at the European Southern Observatory (La Silla, Chile) with the 3.6 m telescope and the 3.5 m New Technological Telescope (NTT). We observed U, B, V, R, I colors for six Trans-Neptunian objects (1994 JR1, 1994 TB, 1995 QY9, 1996 TL66, 1996 TO66, and 1996 TP66) and visible spectra for five Centaurs (2060 Chiron, 7066 Nessus, 8405 1995 GO, 1995 DW2, 1997 CU26). The basic result is that the two classes of objects are remarkably similar, even if a great diversity exists among their colors implying a wide range of surface compositions.
Optical Observations of Trans-Neptunian and Centaur Objects
LAZZARIN, MONICA
2000
Abstract
Trans-Neptunian objects are probably primitive remnants from the early accretional phases of the solar system and may contain the most pristine unprocessed material. To investigate the surface properties of these objects we started an observational campaign at the European Southern Observatory (La Silla, Chile) with the 3.6 m telescope and the 3.5 m New Technological Telescope (NTT). We observed U, B, V, R, I colors for six Trans-Neptunian objects (1994 JR1, 1994 TB, 1995 QY9, 1996 TL66, 1996 TO66, and 1996 TP66) and visible spectra for five Centaurs (2060 Chiron, 7066 Nessus, 8405 1995 GO, 1995 DW2, 1997 CU26). The basic result is that the two classes of objects are remarkably similar, even if a great diversity exists among their colors implying a wide range of surface compositions.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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