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Distribution and nature of UV absorbers on Triton's surfaceSubstantial evidence suggests that a UV spectrally Absorbing Material (UV-SAM) exists on Triton's surface. This evidence is found in the positive slope in Triton's spectrum from the UV to the near-IR, and the increasing contrast in Triton's light curve in the blue and UV. Although it is now widely-thought that UV-SAMs exist on Triton, little is known about their distribution and spectral properties. The goal of this NDAP Project is to determine the spatial distribution and geological context of the UV-SaM material. We hope to determine if UV-SAMs on Triton are correlated with geologic wind streaks, craters, calderas, geomorphic/topographic units, regions containing (or lacking) volatile frosts, or some other process (e.g., magnetospheric interactions). Once the location and distribution of UV-SAMs has been determined, further constraints on their composition cable made by analyzing the spectrographic data set. To accomplish these goals, various data sets will be used, including Voyager 2 UV and visible images of Triton's surface, IUE and HST spectra of Triton, and a geologic map of the surface based on voyager 2 and spectrophotometric data. The results of this research will be published in the planetary science literature.
Document ID
19960009415
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Stern, S. Alan
(Southwest Research Inst. Boulder, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
August 30, 1995
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:199361
SWRI PROJ. 15-5653
NASA-CR-199361
Accession Number
96N16581
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-3402
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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