November 27, 2019: Kiso Observatory Tomo-e Gozen successfully made high-sensitivity observations of the moment when a trans-Neptunian object obscures a star.

Tomo-e Gozen obtained single-chord high-cadence (2 fps) photometry data of a stellar occultation by a Kuiper Belt object Quaoar. No indication of atmospheric refraction was detected, putting a strict upper limit on the pressure of a methane atmosphere which implies the absence of a ~10 nbar-level global methane atmosphere on Quaoar’s surface. Image: Ko Arimatsu/AONEKOYA

DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ab5058