Program: GN-2006A-Q-25

The physical surface properties of a Kuiper Belt object is the result of interplay between irradiation from the different kinds of cosmic rays and its collisional history. Objects that have undergone a recent-major collision will very likely have physical properties that are very different from those of the bulk population. In particular, pristine ices from the interior are expected to be present on the surface. We have determined that KBO 1999 CL158 (59358) has resided near its location for no more than 7 Myr. Therefore, it is the strongest candidate to have undergone a major and recent collisional event in the whole trans-Neptunian population. We propose to do a NIR spectroscopic study of this object and hence to determine the properties of the KBOs interior material that is now exposed on the surface. This study will help us to understand the interior composition of the whole trans-Neptunian population and also that of the short period comets.