Evidence for Possible Clouds in Pluto's Present-day Atmosphere

Several trace constituents can reach saturation vapor pressure in Pluto's present-day atmosphere (PDA). As such, we describe a search for discrete cloud features in Pluto's atmosphere using New Horizons data obtained on 2015 July 14-15, during the Pluto flyby closest approach. We report th...

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Veröffentlicht in:The Astronomical journal 2017-08, Vol.154 (2), p.43
Hauptverfasser: Stern, S. A., Kammer, J. A., Barth, E. L., Singer, K. N., Lauer, T. R., Hofgartner, J. D., Weaver, H. A., Ennico, K., Olkin, C. B., Young, L. A.
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Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Several trace constituents can reach saturation vapor pressure in Pluto's present-day atmosphere (PDA). As such, we describe a search for discrete cloud features in Pluto's atmosphere using New Horizons data obtained on 2015 July 14-15, during the Pluto flyby closest approach. We report that the PDA is at least largely (>99% by surface area) free of discrete clouds. We also report a handful of features that may plausibly be clouds, all of which were detected obliquely and at high-phase-angle observing geometry. No cloud candidates were identified away from the terminators or in low-phase (backscattering geometry) images.
ISSN:0004-6256
1538-3881
DOI:10.3847/1538-3881/aa78ec