Centaur Chiron, Haumea & Another Kuiper Belt Object Observed in the Ultraviolet by Hubble Space Telescope

FIRST ULTRAVIOLET REFLECTANCE MEASUREMENTS OF SEVERAL KUIPER BELT OBJECTS, KUIPER BELT OBJECT SATELLITES, AND NEW ULTRAVIOLET MEASUREMENTS OF A CENTAUR

Authors:

Stern et al

Abstract:

We observed the 2600-3200 Å (hereafter, mid-UV) reflectance of two Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), two KBO satellites, and a Centaur, using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS). Other than measurements of the Pluto system, these constitute the first UV measurements obtained of KBOs, and KBO satellites, and new HST UV measurements of the Centaur 2060 Chiron. We find significant differences among these objects, constrain the sizes and densities of Haumea's satellites, and report the detection of a possible spectral absorption band in Haumea's spectrum near 3050 Å. Comparisons of these objects to previously published UV reflectance measurements of Pluto and Charon are also made here.