Simulated effect of the Galactic Cosmic Rays on the surface of Pluto's dark-red region
Résumé
On Pluto, the largest object in the Kuiper Belt, the dark surface of Cthulhu seems to indicate the
presence of photochemical aerosols, stemming from the interaction between solar ultraviolet
radiation and atmospheric methane, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and further sedimentation [1-4].
Tholins have been tested and identified as analogues of the said surface. The flyby of the New
Horizons Pluto probe enabled reflectance spectra acquisitions of the Cthulhu region. Dissimilarities
were found with the reflectance of Pluto tholins, which might be due to Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR)
irradiation of Pluto’s surface [5]. To test this hypothesis, Pluto tholins were synthesized and swift
heavy ion irradiation was performed on the analogues to simulate the impact of cosmic rays on the
surface of Cthulhu region. Moreover, GCR-analogues irradiation of the said tholins triggers a
desorption of organic volatile compounds whose study could provide crucial information on both the
structure of tholins and the chemical mechanisms involved. The volatile desorption was followed by
mass spectrometry.
Domaines
Planète et Univers [physics]Origine | Fichiers éditeurs autorisés sur une archive ouverte |
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