From Kuiper Belt Object to Cometary Nucleus: The Missing Ultrared Matter

Abstract

We combine new and published data to show that the optical color distributions of cometary nuclei and Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) are significantly different. The nuclei are, as a group, bluer than the KBOs, indicating that the surface chemical and/or physical properties of the two types of bodies are different. Objects in the dynamically intermediate Centaur class have optical colors like those of KBOs, while the color distribution of candidate dead comets is indistinguishable from that of the cometary nuclei. We infer that the surfaces of KBOs are modified upon entry to the inner solar system. We consider several mechanisms and conclude that the color change is most likely caused by the rapid burial of ancient surface materials exposed in the Kuiper belt. The distinctive, ultrared material that is present on the surfaces of some KBOs is absent on the cometary nuclei.