title: Spectroscopic determination of the phase composition and temperature of nitrogen ice on triton.
abstract: Laboratory spectra of the first overtone band (2.1480 micrometers, 4655.4 reciprocal centimeters) of solid nitrogen show additional structure at 2.1618 micrometers (4625.8 reciprocal centimeters) over a limited temperature range. The spectrum of Neptune's satellite Triton shows the nitrogen overtone band as well as the temperature-sensitive component. The temperature dependence of this band may be used in conjunction with ground-based observations of Triton as an independent means of determining the temperature of surface deposits of nitrogen ice. The surface temperature of Triton is found to be 38.0(+2.0)(-1.0) K, in agreement with previous temperature estimates and measurements. There is no spectral evidenceforthe presence of alpha-nitrogen on Triton's surface, indicating thatthere is less than 10 percent carbon monoxide in solid solution with the nitrogen on the surface.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Tryka
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anicich
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Cruikshank
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Owen