Optimal Trajectories to Kuiper Belt Objects
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Quaoar from Multi-Chord Stellar Occultations
The Astrophysical Journal, 773:26 (13pp), 2013 August 10 doi:10.1088/0004-637X/773/1/26 C 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. THE SIZE, SHAPE, ALBEDO, DENSITY, AND ATMOSPHERIC LIMIT OF TRANSNEPTUNIAN OBJECT (50000) QUAOAR FROM MULTI-CHORD STELLAR OCCULTATIONS F. Braga-Ribas1,2,28, B. Sicardy2,3,J.L.Ortiz4, E. Lellouch2, G. Tancredi5, J. Lecacheux2, R. Vieira-Martins1,6,7, J. I. B. Camargo1, M. Assafin7, R. Behrend8,F.Vachier6, F. Colas6, N. Morales4, A. Maury9, M. Emilio10,A.Amorim11, E. Unda-Sanzana12, S. Roland5, S. Bruzzone5, L. A. Almeida13, C. V. Rodrigues13, C. Jacques14, R. Gil-Hutton15, L. Vanzi16,A.C.Milone13, W. Schoenell4,11, R. Salvo5, L. Almenares5,E.Jehin17, J. Manfroid17, S. Sposetti18, P. Tanga19, A. Klotz20, E. Frappa21, P. Cacella22, J. P. Colque12, C. Neves10, E. M. Alvarez23, M. Gillon17, E. Pimentel14, B. Giacchini14, F. Roques2, T. Widemann2, V. S. Magalhaes˜ 13, A. Thirouin4, R. Duffard4, R. Leiva16, I. Toledo24, J. Capeche5, W. Beisker25, J. Pollock26,C.E.Cedeno˜ Montana˜ 13, K. Ivarsen27, D. Reichart27, J. Haislip27, and A. Lacluyze27 1 Observatorio´ Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; [email protected] 2 Observatoire de Paris, LESIA, F-92195 Meudon, France 3 Universite´ Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75252 Paris, France 4 Instituto de Astrof´ısica de Andaluc´ıa-CSIC, E-18080 Granada, Spain 5 Observatorio Astronomico Los Molinos, Montevideo U-12400, Uruguay 6 Observatoire de Paris, IMCCE, F-75014 Paris, France 7 Observatorio´ do Valongo/UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 8 Observatoire -
Mass of the Kuiper Belt · 9Th Planet PACS 95.10.Ce · 96.12.De · 96.12.Fe · 96.20.-N · 96.30.-T
Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy manuscript No. (will be inserted by the editor) Mass of the Kuiper Belt E. V. Pitjeva · N. P. Pitjev Received: 13 December 2017 / Accepted: 24 August 2018 The final publication ia available at Springer via http://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-018-9853-5 Abstract The Kuiper belt includes tens of thousands of large bodies and millions of smaller objects. The main part of the belt objects is located in the annular zone between 39.4 au and 47.8 au from the Sun, the boundaries correspond to the average distances for orbital resonances 3:2 and 2:1 with the motion of Neptune. One-dimensional, two-dimensional, and discrete rings to model the total gravitational attraction of numerous belt objects are consid- ered. The discrete rotating model most correctly reflects the real interaction of bodies in the Solar system. The masses of the model rings were determined within EPM2017—the new version of ephemerides of planets and the Moon at IAA RAS—by fitting spacecraft ranging observations. The total mass of the Kuiper belt was calculated as the sum of the masses of the 31 largest trans-neptunian objects directly included in the simultaneous integration and the estimated mass of the model of the discrete ring of TNO. The total mass −2 is (1.97 ± 0.30) · 10 m⊕. The gravitational influence of the Kuiper belt on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune exceeds at times the attraction of the hypothetical 9th planet with a mass of ∼ 10 m⊕ at the distances assumed for it. -
Precision Astrometry for Fundamental Physics – Gaia
Gravitation astrometric tests in the external Solar System: the QVADIS collaboration goals M. Gai, A. Vecchiato Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica [INAF] Osservatorio Astrofisico di Torino [OATo] WAG 2015 M. Gai - INAF-OATo - QVADIS 1 High precision astrometry as a tool for Fundamental Physics Micro-arcsec astrometry: Current precision goals of astrometric infrastructures: a few 10 µas, down to a few µas 1 arcsec (1) 5 µrad 1 micro-arcsec (1 µas) 5 prad Reference cases: • Gaia – space – visible range • VLTI – ground – near infrared range • VLBI – ground – radio range WAG 2015 M. Gai - INAF-OATo - QVADIS 2 ESA mission – launched Dec. 19th, 2013 Expected precision on individual bright stars: 1030 µas WAG 2015 M. Gai - INAF-OATo - QVADIS 3 Spacetime curvature around massive objects 1.5 G: Newton’s 1".74 at Solar limb 8.4 rad gravitational constant GM 1 cos d: distance Sun- 1 1 observer c2d 1 cos M: solar mass 0.5 c: speed of light Deflection [arcsec] angle : angular distance of the source to the Sun 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Distance from Sun centre [degs] Light deflection Apparent variation of star position, related to the gravitational field of the Sun ASTROMETRY WAG 2015 M. Gai - INAF-OATo - QVADIS 4 Precision astrometry for Fundamental Physics – Gaia WAG 2015 M. Gai - INAF-OATo - QVADIS 5 Precision astrometry for Fundamental Physics – AGP Talk A = Apparent star position measurement AGP: G = Testing gravitation in the solar system Astrometric 1) Light deflection close to the Sun Gravitation 2) High precision dynamics in Solar System Probe P = Medium size space mission - ESA M4 (2014) Design driver: light bending around the Sun @ μas fraction WAG 2015 M. -
Solar System Planet and Dwarf Planet Fact Sheet
Solar System Planet and Dwarf Planet Fact Sheet The planets and dwarf planets are listed in their order from the Sun. Mercury The smallest planet in the Solar System. The closest planet to the Sun. Revolves the fastest around the Sun. It is 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit hotter on its daytime side than on its night time side. Venus The hottest planet. Average temperature: 864 F. Hotter than your oven at home. It is covered in clouds of sulfuric acid. It rains sulfuric acid on Venus which comes down as virga and does not reach the surface of the planet. Its atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide (CO2). It has thousands of volcanoes. Most are dormant. But some might be active. Scientists are not sure. It rotates around its axis slower than it revolves around the Sun. That means that its day is longer than its year! This rotation is the slowest in the Solar System. Earth Lots of water! Mountains! Active volcanoes! Hurricanes! Earthquakes! Life! Us! Mars It is sometimes called the "red planet" because it is covered in iron oxide -- a substance that is the same as rust on our planet. It has the highest volcano -- Olympus Mons -- in the Solar System. It is not an active volcano. It has a canyon -- Valles Marineris -- that is as wide as the United States. It once had rivers, lakes and oceans of water. Scientists are trying to find out what happened to all this water and if there ever was (or still is!) life on Mars. It sometimes has dust storms that cover the entire planet. -
The Trans-Neptunian Haumea
Astronomy & Astrophysics manuscript no. main c ESO 2018 October 22, 2018 High-contrast observations of 136108 Haumea? A crystalline water-ice multiple system C. Dumas1, B. Carry2;3, D. Hestroffer4, and F. Merlin2;5 1 European Southern Observatory. Alonso de Cordova´ 3107, Vitacura, Casilla 19001, Santiago de Chile, Chile e-mail: [email protected] 2 LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, CNRS. 5 place Jules Janssen, 92195 Meudon CEDEX, France e-mail: [email protected] 3 European Space Astronomy Centre, ESA. P.O. Box 78, 28691 Villanueva de la Canada,˜ Madrid, Spain 4 IMCCE, Observatoire de Paris, CNRS. 77, Av. Denfert-Rochereau, 75014 Paris, France e-mail: [email protected] 5 Universit Paris 7 Denis Diderot. 4 rue Elsa Morante, 75013 Paris, France e-mail: [email protected] Received 2010 May 18 / Accepted 2011 January 6 ABSTRACT Context. The trans-neptunian region of the Solar System is populated by a large variety of icy bodies showing great diversity in orbital behavior, size, surface color and composition. One can also note the presence of dynamical families and binary systems. One surprising feature detected in the spectra of some of the largest Trans-Neptunians is the presence of crystalline water-ice. This is the case for the large TNO (136 108) Haumea (2003 EL61). Aims. We seek to constrain the state of the water ice of Haumea and its satellites, and investigate possible energy sources to maintain the water ice in its crystalline form. Methods. Spectro-imaging observations in the near infrared have been performed with the integral field spectrograph SINFONI mounted on UT4 at the ESO Very Large Telescope. -
Comparative Kbology: Using Surface Spectra of Triton
COMPARATIVE KBOLOGY: USING SURFACE SPECTRA OF TRITON, PLUTO, AND CHARON TO INVESTIGATE ATMOSPHERIC, SURFACE, AND INTERIOR PROCESSES ON KUIPER BELT OBJECTS by BRYAN JASON HOLLER B.S., Astronomy (High Honors), University of Maryland, College Park, 2012 B.S., Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, 2012 M.S., Astronomy, University of Colorado, 2015 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Colorado in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences 2016 This thesis entitled: Comparative KBOlogy: Using spectra of Triton, Pluto, and Charon to investigate atmospheric, surface, and interior processes on KBOs written by Bryan Jason Holler has been approved for the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Dr. Leslie Young Dr. Fran Bagenal Date The final copy of this thesis has been examined by the signatories, and we find that both the content and the form meet acceptable presentation standards of scholarly work in the above mentioned discipline. ii ABSTRACT Holler, Bryan Jason (Ph.D., Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences) Comparative KBOlogy: Using spectra of Triton, Pluto, and Charon to investigate atmospheric, surface, and interior processes on KBOs Thesis directed by Dr. Leslie Young This thesis presents analyses of the surface compositions of the icy outer Solar System objects Triton, Pluto, and Charon. Pluto and its satellite Charon are Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) while Triton, the largest of Neptune’s satellites, is a former member of the KBO population. Near-infrared spectra of Triton and Pluto were obtained over the previous 10+ years with the SpeX instrument at the IRTF and of Charon in Summer 2015 with the OSIRIS instrument at Keck. -
Taxonomy of Trans-Neptunian Objects and Centaurs As Seen from Spectroscopy? F
A&A 604, A86 (2017) Astronomy DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201730933 & c ESO 2017 Astrophysics Taxonomy of trans-Neptunian objects and Centaurs as seen from spectroscopy? F. Merlin1, T. Hromakina2, D. Perna1, M. J. Hong1, and A. Alvarez-Candal3 1 LESIA – Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 5 place Jules Janssen, 92195 Meudon, France e-mail: [email protected] 2 Institute of Astronomy, Kharkiv V. N. Karin National University, Sumska Str. 35, 61022 Kharkiv, Ukraine 3 Observatorio Nacional, R. Gal. Jose Cristino 77, 20921-400 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Received 4 April 2017 / Accepted 19 May 2017 ABSTRACT Context. Taxonomy of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) and Centaurs has been made in previous works using broadband filters in the visible and near infrared ranges. This initial investigation led to the establishment of four groups with the aim to provide the mean colors of the different classes with possible links with any physical or chemical properties. However, this taxonomy was only made with the Johnson-Cousins filter system and the ESO J, H, Ks filters combination, and any association with other filter system is not yet available. Aims. We aim to edit complete visible to near infrared taxonomy and extend this work to any possible filters system. To do this, we generate mean spectra for each individual group, from a data set of 43 spectra. This work also presents new spectra of the TNO (38628) Huya, on which aqueous alteration has been suspected, and the Centaur 2007 VH305. -
Atmospheres and Surfaces of Small Bodies and Dwarf Planets in the Kuiper Belt
EPJ Web of Conferences 9, 267–276 (2010) DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201009021 c Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2010 Atmospheres and surfaces of small bodies and dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt E.L. Schallera Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA Abstract. Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) are icy relics orbiting the sun beyond Neptune left over from the planetary accretion disk. These bodies act as unique tracers of the chemical, thermal, and dynamical history of our solar system. Over 1000 Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) and centaurs (objects with perihelia between the giant planets) have been discovered over the past two decades. While the vast majority of these objects are small (< 500 km in diameter), there are now many objects known that are massive enough to attain hydrostatic equilibrium (and are therefore considered dwarf planets) including Pluto, Eris, MakeMake, and Haumea. The discoveries of these large objects, along with the advent of large (> 6-meter) telescopes, have allowed for the first detailed studies of their surfaces and atmospheres. Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy of KBOs and centaurs has revealed a great diversity of surface compositions. Only the largest and coldest objects are capable of retaining volatile ices and atmospheres. Knowledge of the dynamics, physical properties, and collisional history of objects in the Kuiper belt is important for understanding solar system formation and evolution. 1 Introduction The existence of a belt of debris beyond Neptune left over from planetary accretion was proposed by Kuiper in 1951 [1]. Though Pluto was discovered in 1930, it took over sixty years for other Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) to be detected [2] and for Pluto to be recognized as the first known member of a larger population now known to consist of over 1000 objects (Fig. -
Way-Out World
Non-fiction: Way-Out World Way-Out World By Hugh Westrup What strange satellite circles the visible edge of the solar system? The detonation of a single nuclear bomb can do catastrophic damage. So imagine the power of more than one bomb—not just two or 10 or even 10 million, but 10 billion. Astronomers have evidence that a collision with enough force to equal the explosion of 10 billion nuclear bombs once happened in the solar system. Out of that crack-up was born one of the oddest things in space. Its name is Haumea. “There is so much to learn about this newfound object, and we keep finding surprises,” says Mike Brown, an astronomer at the California Institute of Technology. “It’s just crazy.” ODD Balls The solar system is always changing. What astronomers know about it is changing even faster. Advances in telescope technology keep deepening their view of space, continually revealing new objects and new features on old objects. One example of that change in perspective is Pluto. For more than 70 years, astronomers considered it the ninth planet. Then, in 2007, the International Astronomical Union reclassified it as a dwarf planet. Like a planet, a dwarf planet orbits the sun. It also has enough mass, and therefore enough gravity, to give it a rounded shape. But it lacks pull; its gravity isn’t strong enough to clear its neighborhood of most smaller objects the way that planets do. A year later Pluto was reclassified again. Now it’s a plutoid. A plutoid is simply a dwarf planet that exists beyond Neptune, the eighth planet. -
Ice Ontnos: Focus on 136108 Haumea
Ice onTNOs: Focus on 136108 Haumea C. Dumas Collaborators: A. Alvarez, A. Barucci, C. deBergh, B. Carry, A. Guilbert, D. Hestroffer, P. Lacerda, F. deMeo, F. Merlin, C. Snodgrass, P. Vernazza, … Haumea Pluto (dwarf planets) DistribuTon of TNOs Largest TNOs Icy bodies in the OPSII context • Reservoir of volales in the solar system (H2O, N2, CH4, CO, CO2, C2H6, NH3OH, etc) • Small bodies populaon more hydrated than originally pictured – Main-belt comets (Hsieh and JewiZ 2006) – Themis asteroids family (Campins et al. 2010, Rivkin and Emery 2010) • Transport of water to the inner terrestrial planets (e.g. talk by Paul Hartogh) Paranal Observatory 6 SINFONI at UT4 7 SINFONI + NACO at UT4 8 SINFONI = MACAO + SPIFFI (SINFONI=Spectrograph for INtegral Field Observations in the Near Infrared) • AO SYSTEM: MACAO (Multi-Application Curvature Adaptive Optics): – Similar to UTs AO system for VLTI – 60 elements curvature sensing bimorph mirror – NGS or LGS – Developed by ESO • NEAR-IR SPECTRO: SPIFFI (SPectrometer for Infrared Faint Field Imaging): – 3-D spectrograph, 32 image slices, 1-2.5µm – Developed by MPE:Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics + NOVA: Netherlands Research School for Astronomy SINFONI - Main characteristics • Location UT4 Cassegrain • Wavelength range 1-2.5µm • Detector 2048 x 2048 HAWAII array • Gratings J,H,K,H+K • Spectral resolution 1500 (H+K-filter) to 4000 (K-band) (outside OH lines) • Limiting magnitude (0.1”/spaxel) K~18.2, H+K~19.2 in hr, SNR~10 • FoV sampling 32 slices • Spatial resolution 0.25”/slice (no-AO), 0.1”(AO), 0.025” (AO) • Resulting FoV 8”x8”, 3”x3”, 0.8”x0.8” • Modes noAO, NGS-AO, LGS-AO SINFONI - IFS Principles SINFONI - IFS Principles (Cont’d) SINFONI - products Reconstructed image PSF spectrum H+K TNOs spectroscopy Orcus (Carry et al. -
News & Views Research
RESEARCH NEWS & VIEWS measure the dwarf planet’s size, shape and density more accurately than ever before. Compared with other bodies in the Solar System, Haumea rotates quickly (making one rotation in about four hours), and is strangely shaped, like an elongated egg. Ortiz et al. calculate that the object’s longest axis is at least 2,300 km, which is larger than earlier estimates6–8. In turn, given known values for Haumea’s mass and brightness, the dwarf planet’s density and reflectivity are both lower CSI DE ANDALUCIA DE ASTROFISICA INSTITUTO than the unusually high values previously considered. The authors’ results suggest that Haumea might not be in hydrostatic equilibrium, and this touches on the still-sensitive topic of how planets and dwarf planets should be defined. Remarkably, the authors show that blinks in the starlight, detected at multiple observa- tion sites both before and after a distant star was blocked by Haumea, are consistent with a 70-km-wide ring of material encircling the body, approximately 1,000 km away from Haumea’s surface (Fig. 1). Saturn’s are the most studied of all rings, Figure 1 | Artist’s impression of Haumea and its ring. Ortiz et al.4 have measured the size, shape and and yet they remain enigmatic. Data from the density of the dwarf planet Haumea with unprecedented accuracy and found that it has a planetary ring. Cassini spacecraft revealed that gravitational This is the first time that a ring has been discovered around a distant body in the Solar System. interactions between the planet’s rings and moons shepherd the ring material, and that Ring systems represent microcosms of the transition from the outer Solar System, one of the rings is produced entirely from larger-scale rotating structures, such as including close encounters with the giant matter that spews from the moon Encela- galaxies and proto-planetary disks — the disks planets14. -
Pluto and Its Cohorts, Which Is Not Ger Passing by and Falling in Love So Much When Compared to the with Her
INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE SPATIUM Published by the Association Pro ISSI No. 33, March 2014 141348_Spatium_33_(001_016).indd 1 19.03.14 13:47 Editorial A sunny spring day. A green On 20 March 2013, Dr. Hermann meadow on the gentle slopes of Boehnhardt reported on the pre- Impressum Mount Etna and a handsome sent state of our knowledge of woman gathering flowers. A stran- Pluto and its cohorts, which is not ger passing by and falling in love so much when compared to the with her. planets in our cosmic neighbour- hood, yet impressively much in SPATIUM Next time, when she is picking view of their modest size and their Published by the flowers again, the foreigner returns gargantuan distance. In fact, ob- Association Pro ISSI on four black horses. Now, he, serving dwarf planet Pluto poses Pluto, the Roman god of the un- similar challenges to watching an derworld, carries off Proserpina to astronaut’s face on the Moon. marry her and live together in the shadowland. The heartbroken We thank Dr. Boehnhardt for his Association Pro ISSI mother Ceres insists on her return; kind permission to publishing Hallerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern she compromises with Pluto allow- herewith a summary of his fasci- Phone +41 (0)31 631 48 96 ing Proserpina to living under the nating talk for our Pro ISSI see light of the Sun during six months association. www.issibern.ch/pro-issi.html of a year, called summer from now for the whole Spatium series on, when the flowers bloom on the Hansjörg Schlaepfer slopes of Mount Etna, while hav- Brissago, March 2014 President ing to stay in the twilight of the Prof.