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2003 EL61 is the largest member of a group of TNOs with similar orbits and'unique' spectra (neutral slope in the visible and the deepest water iceabsorption bands ever observed in the TNb). Studying the composition of thesurface of 2003 EL61 provides useful constrains on the origin of thisparticular group of TNOs and on the outer Solar system's history.  We present visible and near-infrared spectra of 2003 EL61 obtained with the4.2m WHT and the 3.6m TNG at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (CanaryIslands, Spain). Near infrared spectra were obtained at different rotationalphases covering almost one complete rotational period. Spectra are fitted usingHapke scattering models and constraints on the surface composition are derived.  No significant variations in the spectral slope and in the depth of the waterice absorption bands at different rotational phases are evident, suggestingthat the surface of 2003 EL61 is homogeneous. The scattering models show that a1:1 intimate mixture of crystalline and amorphous water ice is the mostprobable composition for the surface of this TNO, and constrain the presence ofother minor constituents to a maximum of 8%  The derived composition suggests that: a) cryovolcanism is unlikely to be themain resurfacing process responsible for the high presence of water ice on thesurface of these bodies; b) the surface is older than 10^8 yr. Any catastrophicevent, like the collision suggested to be the origin of this population, had tohappen at least 10^8 yr ago; c) the surface of 2003 EL61 is depleted of carbonchains. According to the orbital parameters of this population, this makes it apossible source of carbon-depleted Jupiter family comets.

Study of the Surface of 2003 EL61: the largest carbon-depleted object in the trans-neptunian belt