Surface Characteristics of Transneptunian Objects and Centaurs from Photometry and Spectroscopy

2004 
The external region of the solar system contains a vast population of small icy bodies, believed to be remnants from the accretion of the planets. The transneptunian objects (TNOs) and Centaurs (located between Jupiter and Neptune) are probably made of the most primitive and thermally unprocessed materials of the known solar system. Although the study of these objects has rapidly evolved in the past few years, especially from dynamical and theoretical points of view, studies of the physical and chemical properties of the TNO population are still limited by the faintness of these objects. The basic properties of these objects, including information on their dimensions and rotation periods, are presented, with emphasis on their diversity and the possible characteristics of their surfaces.
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