Program: GN-2005A-Q-34

The outer solar system is filled with small bodies that hold some of the keys to understanding the formation and evolution of the giant planets and the solar system itself. The Kuiper Belt, Centaurs and irregular satellites are considered to be from the same phase space of the solar system, although the exact connection remains unknown. We propose to perform a series of observations on the small bodies of the solar system with the goal of understanding their physical composition and characteristic. This project, "Albedos of Irregular Satellites: Supporting Spitzer", is part of our Spitzer InfraRed Telescope Facility project "Determining Albedos and Sizes for Irregular Satellites of Jupiter and Saturn" (PI: Grav) we propose to support the infrared observations by performing near simultaneous visual observations of our Spitzer targets using the Gemini North facility. The visual observations are essential in determining the albedo and size of the targets. The observations will be Target of Opportunity, dependent on the scheduling of the Spitzer observations.