Absence of atmosphere on Pluto's moon
2006/02/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
When a star disappears behind a planet, astronomers get a lot of information. When it is at the limit of the planet, the light of the star changes and that change brings the information of the planet to Earth.
This is how Karon, the moon of Pluto, has studied two groups of astronomers, one French and one American. The most striking information they have obtained from this observation is that relating to Karon's atmosphere. In fact, they have concluded that Karon has no atmosphere.
In addition, they have been able to accurately measure the moon with an error of eight kilometers. Its diameter is 606 kilometers. From this data the density of Karon has been calculated and, being somewhat greater than that of water, astronomers have proposed that it is an ice moon.
This data will help to understand how they formed in Pluto and Charon and can be of great importance in deciding whether or not Pluto is a planet.
