Pluto's Atmosphere Does Not Collapse

TL;DR

This study combines observational data and models to demonstrate that Pluto's atmosphere remains stable and does not collapse throughout its orbit, showing increasing pressure linked to high thermal inertia and a permanent ice cap.

Contribution

It provides the first comprehensive evidence that Pluto's atmosphere remains stable over its orbit by integrating long-term occultation data with energy balance models.

Findings

Pluto's atmospheric pressure has increased over time.

Atmospheric stability is linked to high thermal inertia.

A permanent N2 ice cap influences atmospheric behavior.

Abstract

Combining stellar occultation observations probing Pluto's atmosphere from 1988 to 2013 and models of energy balance between Pluto's surface and atmosphere, we conclude that Pluto's atmosphere does not collapse at any point in its 248-year orbit. The occultation results show an increasing atmospheric pressure with time in the current epoch, a trend present only in models with a high thermal inertia and a permanent N2 ice cap at Pluto's north rotational pole.