Update on Charon

My first post was on New Horizon's HD images of Charon, one of Pluto's moons. New scans have shown an absorption peak at wavelengths near 2.2 microns over the Organa crater. This is particularly interesting considering we have been learning how to interpret absorption peaks in spectrum taken from sources like back bodies. A reading of 2.2 micron wavelengths coming out of a crater are an indication of the presence of ammonia meaning the possibility of an ammonia rich layer under a surface of frozen water.

Ammonia was first discovered on Charon as early as 2000, but the discovery of concentrated ammonia is interesting because the Organa crater is so close to the Skywalker crater, but their surface compositions are extremely different. Some scientists think that the ammonia located in the green highlights below is a result of the Organa crater being created much more recently than the Skywalker crater. Others believe that if there is a source of ammonia, an antifreeze if concentrated, under the frozen surface of Charon then it could be the cause for cryovolcanism and eruptions on the surface of Charon. This ties back to the resurfacing mentioned in my first post meaning the theories about an expansion of freezing water under the surface of Charon could be wrong.

It is important to remember that these are all theories. Some scientist doubt the ammonia is the result of Charon and could have been the byproduct of an asteroid hitting Charon's surface.

At any rate, more information can be found at these links: nasa.gov | discovery.com | areavoices.com