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Large changes in Pluto's atmosphere as revealed by recent stellar occultations

Author

Listed:
  • B. Sicardy

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA
    Université Pierre et Marie Curie)

  • T. Widemann

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • E. Lellouch

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • C. Veillet

    (Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope)

  • J.-C. Cuillandre

    (Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope)

  • F. Colas

    (Observatoire de Paris, IMCCE)

  • F. Roques

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • W. Beisker

    (International Occultation Timing Association, European Section)

  • M. Kretlow

    (International Occultation Timing Association, European Section)

  • A.-M. Lagrange

    (Observatoire de Grenoble)

  • E. Gendron

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • F. Lacombe

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • J. Lecacheux

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • C. Birnbaum

    (Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie)

  • A. Fienga

    (Observatoire de Paris, IMCCE)

  • C. Leyrat

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • A. Maury

    (Gene Shoemaker Observatory)

  • E. Raynaud

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • S. Renner

    (Observatoire de Paris, LESIA)

  • M. Schultheis

    (Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris)

  • K. Brooks

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • A. Delsanti

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • O. R. Hainaut

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • R. Gilmozzi

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • C. Lidman

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • J. Spyromilio

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • M. Rapaport

    (Observatoire Aquitain des Sciences de l'Univers)

  • P. Rosenzweig

    (Universidad de Los Andes, Facultad de Ciencias)

  • O. Naranjo

    (Universidad de Los Andes, Facultad de Ciencias)

  • L. Porras

    (Universidad de Los Andes, Facultad de Ciencias)

  • F. Díaz

    (Universidad de Los Andes, Facultad de Ciencias)

  • H. Calderón

    (Universidad de Los Andes, Facultad de Ciencias)

  • S. Carrillo

    (Cumbaya)

  • A. Carvajal

    (Cumbaya)

  • E. Recalde

    (Cumbaya)

  • L. Gaviria Cavero

    (Asociación Eta Carinae, 1)

  • C. Montalvo

    (Asociación Eta Carinae, 1)

  • D. Barría

    (Observatório Cerro Armazones, Universidad Católica del Norte)

  • R. Campos

    (Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica)

  • R. Duffard

    (Observatório Nacional)

  • H. Levato

    (Complejo Astronómico, El Leoncito)

Abstract

Pluto's tenuous nitrogen atmosphere was first detected by the imprint left on the light curve of a star that was occulted by the planet in 1985 (ref. 1), and studied more extensively during a second occultation event in 1988 (refs 2–6). These events are, however, quite rare and Pluto's atmosphere remains poorly understood, as in particular the planet has not yet been visited by a spacecraft. Here we report data from the first occultations by Pluto since 1988. We find that, during the intervening 14 years, there seems to have been a doubling of the atmospheric pressure, a probable seasonal effect on Pluto.

Suggested Citation

  • B. Sicardy & T. Widemann & E. Lellouch & C. Veillet & J.-C. Cuillandre & F. Colas & F. Roques & W. Beisker & M. Kretlow & A.-M. Lagrange & E. Gendron & F. Lacombe & J. Lecacheux & C. Birnbaum & A. Fie, 2003. "Large changes in Pluto's atmosphere as revealed by recent stellar occultations," Nature, Nature, vol. 424(6945), pages 168-170, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:424:y:2003:i:6945:d:10.1038_nature01766
    DOI: 10.1038/nature01766
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