Spectroscopic analysis has revealed the existence of frozen nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide on the surface of Pluto. Such ices have a tendency to vaporize, producing an atmosphere. Since the proportion of any gas in such an atmosphere depends directly on how readily the corresponding ice vaporizes, astronomers have concluded that the components of Pluto's atmosphere are nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane, in order of decreasing abundance.

The astronomers' argument relies on which one of the following assumptions?

• AThere is no more frozen nitrogen on the surface of Pluto than there is either frozen carbon monoxide or methane  
• BUntil space probes reach Pluto, direct analysis of the atmosphere is impossible  
• CThere is no frozen substance on the surface of Pluto that vaporizes more readily than methane but less readily than carbon monoxide  
• DNitrogen is found in the atmosphere of a planet only if nitrogen ice is found on the surface of that planet  
• EA mixture of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane is characteristic of the substances from which the Solar System formed