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Endogenically sourced volatiles on Charon and other Kuiper belt objects
Stephanie M Menten1, Michael M Sori2, Ali M Bramson2
1Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. smenten@purdue.edu.
Charon
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) research
- Astrobiology
Background:
- Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) exhibit varied surface compositions.
- Previous hypotheses suggested Charon's organic-rich north pole originated from Pluto's escaping atmosphere.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the plausibility of an endogenic volatile source from Charon's interior.
- To test hypotheses on the origin and evolution of KBO surfaces using New Horizons mission data.
Main Methods:
- Calculated cryovolcanic resurfacing potential for methane release from Charon's interior.
- Modeled volatile transport of methane to Charon's poles.
- Analyzed deposition rates and processing into organic compounds.
Main Results:
- Cryovolcanism could release 1.29 × 10^15–3.47 × 10^15 kg of methane from Charon's interior.
- The majority of released methane migrates to Charon's poles.
- Deposition rates are sufficient for processing into observed organic compounds.
Conclusions:
- An interior-sourced volatile model is plausible for Charon's organic-rich north pole.
- Interior-sourced volatiles may be a common process for Kuiper Belt Objects.
- This finding challenges the sole reliance on external atmospheric sources for KBO surface evolution.
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