title: Color and chemistry on Triton.
abstract: The surface of Triton is very bright but shows subtle yellow to peach hues which probably arise from the production of colored organic compounds from CH4 + N2 and other simple species.  In order to investigate possible relationships between chemical processes and the observed surface distribution of chromophores, we classify the surface units according to color/albedo properties, estimate the rates of production of organic chromophores by the action of ultraviolet light and high-energy charged particles, and compare rates, spectral properties, and expected seasonal redistribution processes to suggest possible origins of the colors seen on Triton's surface.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Planetary Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sagan
mesh_terms: D001272:Atmosphere; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D003116:Color; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis; D018541:Neptune; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010777:Photochemistry
chemical_list: D009584:Nitrogen; D008697:Methane