Volatiles

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current understanding of volatile compositions in small solar system bodies, especially Centaurs, highlighting their importance as clues to the early solar system and discussing future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of volatile compositions in small bodies and discusses processes affecting these volatiles, outlining future research opportunities.

Findings

Volatile compositions serve as time capsules of solar system formation.

Processes influencing volatiles include sublimation and surface activity.

Future observations can improve understanding of Centaurs' volatile content.

Abstract

Small bodies are the remnant building blocks from the time when the planets formed and migrated to their current positions. Their volatile composition and relative abundances serve as time capsules for the formation conditions in the protosolar nebula. By constraining the volatile composition of Centaurs, we can fill in important gaps in understanding the history of our solar system. We review here the state of knowledge for volatiles in small bodies, processes that influence volatile composition and activity in small bodies, and future capabilities that can be leveraged to advance our understanding of volatiles in Centaurs.