Pluto: evidence for methane frost

Science. 1976 Nov 19;194(4267):835-7. doi: 10.1126/science.194.4267.835-a.

Abstract

Infrared photometry (1.2 to 2.2 micrometers) of Pluto provides evidence for frozen methane on the surface of the planet. This appears to be the first observational indication of this ice in the solar system. Its presence on Pluto suggests that the planet's albedo (reflectance) may be >/= 0.4 and that its diameter may be less than that of the moon.