Water Ice on Triton

We discuss the spectroscopic detection of H 2O ice on Triton, evidenced by the broad absorption bands in the near infrared at 1.55 and 2.04 μm. The detection of water ice on Triton reconfirms earlier preliminary studies (D. P. Cruikshank et al. 1984, Icarus 58, 293–305). Although crystalline H 2O ice has a distinctive spectral band at 1.65 μm, and our new models slightly favor the presence of this phase, we cannot unambiguously determine whether Triton's water ice is crystalline or amorphous. Both phases might be present, and special conditions in the surface microstructure may affect the spectroscopic signature of water ice in such a way that crystalline ice is present and its 1.65 μm spectral band is masked. Our spectra (1.87–2.5 μm) taken at an interval of nearly 3.5 years do not show any significant changes that might relate to reports of changes in Triton's spectral reflectance (B. Buratti et al. 1999, Nature 397, 219), or in Triton's surface pressure (J. L. Elliot et al. 1998, Nature 393, 765–767).