Infrared spectroscopy of the largest known trans-neptunian object 2001 KX76

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 3.56m 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.

arXiv comment1 Latex file, 2 postscript files. A&A in press

References in corpus (3)

• Colors and Spectra of Kuiper Belt Objects
• The TNG Near Infrared Camera Spectrometer
• NICS-TNG infrared spectroscopy of trans-neptunian objects 2000 EB173 and 2000 WR106

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