Surface Composition and Atmosphere
The spectrum of 2007 OR10 shows signatures for both water ice and methane, which makes it similar in composition to Quaoar. The presence of red methane frost on the surfaces of both 2007 OR10 and Quaoar implies the existence of a tenuous methane atmosphere on both objects, slowly evaporating into space. Although 2007 OR10 comes closer to the Sun than Quaoar, and is thus warm enough that a methane atmosphere should evaporate, its larger mass makes retention of an atmosphere just possible. The presence of water ice on the surface of 2007 OR10 implies a brief period of cryovolcanism in its distant past.
Read more about this topic: (225088) 2007 OR10
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