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Endogenically sourced volatiles on Charon and other Kuiper belt objects

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  • Stephanie M. Menten

    (Purdue University)

  • Michael M. Sori

    (Purdue University)

  • Ali M. Bramson

    (Purdue University)

Abstract

Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) have diverse surface compositions, and the New Horizons mission to the Pluto-Charon system allows us to test hypotheses on the origin and evolution of these KBO surfaces. Previous work proposed that Charon’s organic-rich north pole formed from radiolytically processed volatiles sourced from Pluto’s escaping atmosphere. Here, we show an endogenic source of volatiles from Charon’s interior is plausible. We calculate that cryovolcanic resurfacing released 1.29 × 1015–3.47 × 1015 kg of methane to Charon’s surface from its interior. We modeled volatile transport and found the vast majority of this volcanically released methane migrates to Charon’s poles, with deposition rates sufficient to be processed into the observed organic compounds. Irradiated methane products appear on similarly sized KBOs that do not orbit a Pluto-sized object to draw an escaping atmosphere from, so interior-sourced volatiles could be a common and important process across the Kuiper belt.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie M. Menten & Michael M. Sori & Ali M. Bramson, 2022. "Endogenically sourced volatiles on Charon and other Kuiper belt objects," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31846-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31846-8
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    1. W. M. Grundy & D. P. Cruikshank & G. R. Gladstone & C. J. A. Howett & T. R. Lauer & J. R. Spencer & M. E. Summers & M. W. Buie & A. M. Earle & K. Ennico & J. Wm. Parker & S. B. Porter & K. N. Singer &, 2016. "The formation of Charon’s red poles from seasonally cold-trapped volatiles," Nature, Nature, vol. 539(7627), pages 65-68, November.
    2. James T. Keane & Isamu Matsuyama & Shunichi Kamata & Jordan K. Steckloff, 2016. "Reorientation and faulting of Pluto due to volatile loading within Sputnik Planitia," Nature, Nature, vol. 540(7631), pages 90-93, December.
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