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C. A. Trujillo (Gemini Observatory), K. M. Barkume, M. Brown, E. L. Schaller (Caltech), D. L. Rabinowitz (Yale)
We have discovered a new, bright Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) internally named K40506A as part of our on-going survey for the largest and brightest outer solar system objects. This survey is responsible for discovering the three known Minor Planets with the greatest absolute magnitudes: Quaoar, Orcus and Sedna (H = 2.6, 2.3 and 1.6, respectively). K40506A has heliocentric distance of 52 AU and a visual magnitude of 17.5, giving it an H value of about 0.4. Therefore, K40506A is the brightest apparent magnitude KBO and the brightest absolute magnitude minor planet as of this writing (see Rabinowitz et al. in this proceedings).
We present low and medium resolution 1.0 to 2.5 micron near-infrared reflectance spectra of the surface of K40506A, obtained at the Gemini 8-m and Keck 10-m telescopes on Mauna Kea. These high signal to noise spectra represent over 13 hours of on-source time using the two telescopes. Both spectra show clear signs of water ice. Strong constraints will be placed on the presence of less absorptive species of volatile ices. We present these data and discuss their physical implications for the large minor planet K40506A.
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The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: trujillo@gemini.edu
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.