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New Pluto images discussed
ngunn
post Feb 2 2010, 10:23 AM
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Telecon announcement (via Jupiter List - thanks)
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/jupiter_list/message/8170
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tedstryk
post Feb 2 2010, 02:51 PM
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This is going to be awesome. That's all I'm saying. laugh.gif


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Webscientist
post Feb 2 2010, 05:15 PM
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Signs of cryovolcanic activities? huh.gif
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ElkGroveDan
post Feb 2 2010, 06:27 PM
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Discovery of multiple bodies and/or rings?


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ugordan
post Feb 2 2010, 06:41 PM
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I'm starting to really hate this teasing and hyping up.

I'm gonna go with rings. Or something else.


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NickF
post Feb 2 2010, 07:22 PM
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Penguins? ph34r.gif


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Hungry4info
post Feb 2 2010, 07:51 PM
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We're told that the HST images will help better interpret 30 years of Pluto observations from other telescopes. This, IMHO, rules out rings and moons. I'm guessing it has something to do with the dark spots (Finally directly observed?). Been waiting for images of Pluto since HST got fixed up. Pluto and Ceres.


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ngunn
post Feb 2 2010, 08:01 PM
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You echo my own thoughts exactly there H4I (about Ceres too). Exactly what observations over 30 years? I note that Charon was discovered in 1978. Something to do with the relationship between the two?? Rotation not exactly synchronous???
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Hungry4info
post Feb 2 2010, 08:02 PM
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The dark spots on Pluto were found by watching mutual occultations between Pluto and Charon. As you state, Charon was found around 30 years ago. This is why direct observation of Pluto's dark spots is my guess. (Spectroscopy would be an added bonus for sure!)

If the rotation between the two wasn't exactly synchronous, that should have fudged up the light curve-derived albedo maps of Pluto and Charon.

Edit: On second thought, maybe it did. What's with those sharp longitudinal markings anyway?


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ngunn
post Feb 2 2010, 08:47 PM
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Maybe it's those lightcurves that are now in need of 'better interpretation' meaning there was something amiss with the earlier one? Wild guesswork, but great fun. smile.gif

Remember Mercury's rotation was long assumed to be synchronous, and a lot of maps had been produced on that assumption.
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NGC3314
post Feb 2 2010, 09:01 PM
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Odd - the HST archive search doesn't show any Pluto observations since March 2006, so these are not new WFC3 or ACS data under discussion. (Unless the target name was listed as something else...)

Maybe something to do with the changing aspect of the illuminated part of Pluto with time helping break degeneracies of where spots are, since regions in permanent sunlight didn't give a handle on what the pattern was there?

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Hungry4info
post Feb 2 2010, 10:04 PM
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QUOTE (NGC3314 @ Feb 2 2010, 03:01 PM) *
Maybe something to do with the changing aspect of the illuminated part of Pluto with time helping break degeneracies of where spots are.

I'm not sure how this would affect anything. The albedo maps were determined from Pluto-Charon mutual occultations.

And while I remember Mercury's rotation being assumed synchronous, I'm unaware of maps based on that. o_O


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alan
post Feb 2 2010, 10:08 PM
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I see Mike Brown is involved, my guess:

On close examination the images reveal a giant sign stating "I am too a planet"

ducks and runs ph34r.gif
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ngunn
post Feb 2 2010, 10:13 PM
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QUOTE (NGC3314 @ Feb 2 2010, 09:01 PM) *
Unless the target name was listed as something else...


I think there must be new observations. Does Pluto have a Minor Planet number? I notice Mike Brown is involved and he seems to be stalked by people trying to pinch his discoveries, so (minor) subterfuge is not out of the question. I've checked his blog - no hints there.
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stevesliva
post Feb 2 2010, 10:17 PM
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QUOTE (ngunn @ Feb 2 2010, 06:13 PM) *
Does Pluto have a Minor Planet number?


Yes. 134340 Pluto.
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