The following document lists the file abstract/ELELLOUC_PLUTDISC.abs
from catalogue VI/111.
A plain copy of the file
(without headers/trailers) may be downloaded.
===================================================================== We have measured the thermal flux emitted at 60-200 micron by the Pluto-Charon system using ISOPHOT-C. This emission constrains the temperature of Pluto's surface. Most interestingly, our data suggest the existence of an infrared lightcurve, i.e. variations of the Pluto flux with rotational phase. If confirmed, such variations would demonstrate that the surface temperature of Pluto is spatially variable, which has very important implications for the atmosphere/surface interactions and the atmospheric dynamics. We need a few additional measurements to confirm completely unambiguously that these variations are real. In addition, measurements at 25 micron with PHT-P would provide further insight into the temperature distribution at Pluto's surface.