Objects in the Kuiper belt are difficult to study in detail, even with the best telescopes
available. Therefore, for many years, studies of the compositions of these objects were …

Ices have been detected and mapped on the Earth and all planets and/or their satellites
further from the sun. Water ice is the most common frozen volatile observed and is also …

Abstract From Earth based observations Pluto is known to be the host of N2, CH4 and CO
ices and also a dark red material. Very limited spatial distribution information is available …

We present results derived from the first multi-chord stellar occultations by the
transneptunian object (50000) Quaoar, observed on 2011 May 4 and 2012 February 17, and …

Abstract A Large Program (LP) has been carried out at ESO–VLT using almost
simultaneously the UT1, UT2 and UT4 telescopes (Cerro Paranal, Chile). The aim of this …

The surface of Pluto as it is understood on the eve of the encounter of the New Horizons
spacecraft (mid-2015) consists of a spatially heterogeneous mix of solid N 2, CH 4, CO, C 2 …

Ever since the very first photometric studies of Centaurs and Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) their
visible color distribution has been controversial. This controversy has triggered to a prolific …

We present the first results of the Hubble Wide Field Camera 3 Test of Surfaces in the Outer
Solar System. The purpose of this survey was to measure the surface properties of a large …

Context. Physical characterization of trans-Neptunian objects, a primitive population of the
outer solar system, may provide constraints on their formation and evolution. Aims. The goal …

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the most abundant ices in the Solar System. It has been
detected in giant planet atmospheres and on their moons, on and around comets, and even …