The Reflectance of Cold Classical Trans-Neptunian Objects in the Nearest Infrared

Abstract

Recent photometric surveys of Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) have revealed that the cold classical TNOs have distinct z-band color characteristics and occupy their own distinct surface class. This suggested the presence of an absorption band in the reflectance spectra of cold classicals at λ > 0.8 μm. Here we present reflectance spectra spanning 0.55–1.0 μm for six TNOs occupying dynamically cold orbits at a ∼ 44 au. Five of our spectra show a clear and broadly consistent reduction in spectral gradient above 0.8 μm that diverges from their linear red optical continuum and agrees with their reported photometric color data. Despite predictions, we find no evidence that the spectral flattening is caused by an absorption band centered near 1.0 μm. We predict that the overall consistent shape of these five spectra is related to the presence of similar refractory organics on each of their surfaces, and/or their similar physical surface properties such as porosity or grain size distribution. The observed consistency of the reflectance spectra of these five targets aligns with predictions that the cold classicals share a common history in terms of formation and surface evolution. Our sixth target, which has been ambiguously classified as either a hot or cold classical at various points in the past, has a spectrum that remains nearly linear across the full range observed. This suggests that this TNO is a hot classical interloper in the cold classical dynamical range and supports the idea that other such interlopers may be identifiable by their linear reflectance spectra in the range 0.8–1.0 μm.