Abstract
Color and spectral observations are important for understanding thetaxonomy, composition, formation conditions and evolutionary historyof Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs). Colors or spectra do not,however, uniquely constrain the compositions of these objects, as wedemonstrate using simple spectral mixing models. We show that thermalflux observations at 70 μm (or any wavelength near or beyondthe peak of the object's emission) are much less sensitive to detailsof how the materials are combined. Coupling reflectance and thermalobservations of TNOs will help remove much of the ambiguity intrinsicto color and spectral data.
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Grundy, W.M., Stansberry, J.A. Mixing Models, Colors and Thermal Emissions. Earth, Moon, and Planets 92, 331–336 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MOON.0000031949.11252.1e
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:MOON.0000031949.11252.1e