Ices composed of nitrogen, methane or both can be found in the outer reaches of the solar system; their presence has been observed or inferred on the dwarf planets Pluto and Eris, and the moons Titan and Triton. While these objects can be studied by earth-based and remote infrared (IR) spectroscopy, the interpretation of those spectra is complicated because spectral positions and lineshapes are dependent on unknown factors such as composition, temperature, crystal phase, and even particle size and shape. Detailed modeling of astronomical spectra requires significant input from laboratory studies, including IR spectroscopic measurements and determination of the refractive index of the ice. In this study, we report such measurements over a variety of temperatures and mixture compositions, including both amorphous and crystalline ices.

Laboratory studies of ice mixtures of astrophysical interest

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.