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Uncertainty in Grain Size Estimations of Volatiles on Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) and Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs)
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics · Submitted 27 Oct 2021
abstract compiled · 2026-09-23 · no language-model review
The authors' main claim We recommend that future studies should favor the equivalent slab approximation when employing RTMs for estimating grain sizes of the vast number of TNOs and KBOs in the outer solar system.
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The abstract, sentence by sentence
We analyze the uncertainty in grain size estimation of pure methane (CH4) and nitrogen saturated with methane (N2:CH4) ices, the most abundant volatile materials on trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) and Kuiper belt objects (KBOs). We compare the single scattering albedo, which determines the grain size estimation of outer solar system regolith (Hansen, 2009), of these ices using the Mie scattering model and two other Hapke approximations (Hapke, 1993) in radiative transfer scattering models (RTM) at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths (1-5 $\mu$m). The equivalent slab (Hapke Slab) approximation model predicts results much closer to Mie scattering over the NIR wavelengths at a wide range of grain sizes. In contrast, even though the internal scattering model (ISM) predicts an approximate particle diameter close to the Mie model for particles with a 10 $\mu$m radii, it exhibits higher discrepancies in the predicted estimation for larger grain sizes (e.g., 100 and 1000 $\mu$m radii). Owing to the Rayleigh effect on single-scattering properties, neither Hapke approximate models could predict an accurate grain size estimation for the small particles (radii $\leq$ 5 $\mu$m). We recommend that future studies should favor the equivalent slab approximation when employing RTMs for estimating grain sizes of the vast number of TNOs and KBOs in the outer solar system.
background contribution method result interpretation main claim
| # | sentence | role | the authors' own work | states the main conclusion | strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s0 | We analyze the uncertainty in grain size estimation of pure methane (CH4) and nitrogen saturated with methane (N2:CH4) ices, the most abundant volatile materials on trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) and Kuiper belt objects (KBOs). | contribution 0.96 | 0.84 | 0.03 | asserted 0.91 |
| s1 | We compare the single scattering albedo, which determines the grain size estimation of outer solar system regolith (Hansen, 2009), of these ices using the Mie scattering model and two other Hapke approximations (Hapke, 1993) in radiative transfer scattering models (RTM) at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths (1-5 $\mu$m). | method 0.93 | 0.78 | 0.03 | asserted 0.97 |
| s2 | The equivalent slab (Hapke Slab) approximation model predicts results much closer to Mie scattering over the NIR wavelengths at a wide range of grain sizes. | result 1.00 | 0.84 | 0.34 | asserted 1.00 |
| s3 | In contrast, even though the internal scattering model (ISM) predicts an approximate particle diameter close to the Mie model for particles with a 10 $\mu$m radii, it exhibits higher discrepancies in the predicted estimation for larger grain sizes (e.g., 100 and 1000 $\mu$m radii). | result 1.00 | 0.88 | 0.06 | asserted 1.00 |
| s4 | Owing to the Rayleigh effect on single-scattering properties, neither Hapke approximate models could predict an accurate grain size estimation for the small particles (radii $\leq$ 5 $\mu$m). | result 0.86 | 0.80 | 0.05 | asserted 0.86 |
| s5 | We recommend that future studies should favor the equivalent slab approximation when employing RTMs for estimating grain sizes of the vast number of TNOs and KBOs in the outer solar system. | future work 1.00 | 0.20 | 0.84 | hedged possibility 0.59 |
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The paper
Original abstract
We analyze the uncertainty in grain size estimation of pure methane (CH4) and nitrogen saturated with methane (N2:CH4) ices, the most abundant volatile materials on trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) and Kuiper belt objects (KBOs). We compare the single scattering albedo, which determines the grain size estimation of outer solar system regolith (Hansen, 2009), of these ices using the Mie scattering model and two other Hapke approximations (Hapke, 1993) in radiative transfer scattering models (RTM) at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths (1-5 $\mu$m). The equivalent slab (Hapke Slab) approximation model predicts results much closer to Mie scattering over the NIR wavelengths at a wide range of grain sizes. In contrast, even though the internal scattering model (ISM) predicts an approximate particle diameter close to the Mie model for particles with a 10 $\mu$m radii, it exhibits higher discrepancies in the predicted estimation for larger grain sizes (e.g., 100 and 1000 $\mu$m radii). Owing to the Rayleigh effect on single-scattering properties, neither Hapke approximate models could predict an accurate grain size estimation for the small particles (radii $\leq$ 5 $\mu$m). We recommend that future studies should favor the equivalent slab approximation when employing RTMs for estimating grain sizes of the vast number of TNOs and KBOs in the outer solar system.
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How the literature uses it
1 arXiv paper cite this in 11 sentences
Papers citing it · 8 sentences without a confident label
Uses its method or tool 1 paper
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Following the approach of [ref] , the Mie w was calculated by utilizing the method of [ref] using the miepython routine (an open-source Python module).
Discrepancy in Grain Size Estimation of H${}_{2}$O Ice in the Outer Solar System and the Interstellar Medium · Mie calculation · 1.00
Cites it as support 1 paper
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Moreover, the use of grain size close to 1 µm emphasizes the Rayleigh effect that happens at grains that have sizes close to wavelengths for the outer solar system surface ices [ref] .
Discrepancy in Grain Size Estimation of H${}_{2}$O Ice in the Outer Solar System and the Interstellar Medium · Discussion · 0.96
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