Infrared spectroscopy of the Centaur Asbolus with the ESO-Very Large Telescope

Abstract

As part of an observing programme with the ISAAC infrared spectrometer at the 8-m Antu telescope of the ESO-Very Large Telescope (Chile) devoted to the study of the surface composition of Kuiper Belt Objects and Centaurs, we obtained, in May 1999, spectra of the red Centaur Asbolus in the J, H and K bands. The spectra appear featureless.