EDP Sciences Journals List
Advanced Search
Subscriber Authentication Point
Home All issues Volume 388/1 Article
Free access article

Issue A&A
Volume 388, Number 1, June II 2002
Page(s) L9 - L12
Section Letters
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20020533



A&A 388, L9-L12 (2002)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20020533

Letter

Infrared spectroscopy of the largest known trans-Neptunian object 2001 KX $_\mathsf{76}$

J. Licandro1, F. Ghinassi1 and L. Testi2

1  Centro Galileo Galilei & Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, PO Box 565, 38700, S/C de La Palma, Tenerife, Spain
2  INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125 Firenze, Italy

(Received 20 March 2002 / Accepted 5 April 2002 )

Abstract
We report complete near-infrared (0.9-2.4 $\mu$m) spectral observations of the largest know trans-Neptunian objects (TNO) 28976 = 2001 KX 76 taken in two different nights using the new Near Infrared Camera Spectrometer (NICS) attached to the 3.56 m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG). The spectra are featureless and correspond to a neutral colored object. Our observations indicate that the surface of 2001 KX 76 is probably highly evolved due to long term irradiation, and that collisional resurfacing processes have not played an important role in its evolution.


Key words: minor planets -- comets -- infrared -- trans-Neptunian objects

Offprint request: J. Licandro, licandro@tng.iac.es




© ESO 2002


What is OpenURL?

The OpenURL standard is a protocol for transmission of metadata describing the resource that you wish to access. An OpenURL link contains article metadata and directs it to the OpenURL server of your choice. The OpenURL server can provide access to the resource and also offer complementary services (specific search engine, export of references...). The OpenURL link can be generated by different means.
  • If your librarian has set up your subscription with an OpenURL resolver, OpenURL links appear automatically on the abstract pages.
  • You can define your own OpenURL resolver with your EDPS Account. In this case your choice will be given priority over that of your library.
  • You can use an add-on for your browser (Firefox or I.E.) to display OpenURL links on a page (see http://www.openly.com/openurlref/). You should disable this module if you wish to use the OpenURL server that you or your library have defined.