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Arxiv: JWST Spectrophotometry of the Small Satellites of Uranus and Neptune Published: 4/10/2024 3:02:41 AM Updated: 4/10/2024 3:02:41 AM

Paper abstract: We use 1.4-4.6 micron multi-band photometry of the small inner Uranian andNeptunian satellites obtained with the James Webb Space Telescope'snear-infrared imager NIRCam to characterize their surface compositions. We findthat the satellites of the ice giants have, to first-order, similarcompositions to one another, with a 3.0 micron absorption feature possiblyassociated with an O-H stretch, indicative of water ice or hydrated minerals.Additionally, the spectrophotometry for the small ice giant satellites matchesspectra of some Neptune Trojans and excited Kuiper belt objects, suggestingshared properties. Future spectroscopy of these small satellites is necessaryto identify and better constrain their specific surface compositions.