Thermal Observations of the First Equal Sized Plutino Binary

Details Thermal Observations of the First Equal Sized Plutino Binary Thermal Observations of the First Equal Sized Plutino Binary

Aug 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008sptz.prop..498s&link_type=abstract

Spitzer Proposal ID #498

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Scientific paper

We have recently discovered the first equal sized binary Kuiper Belt object in the 3:2 resonance with Neptune (2007 TY430). The four other binary objects known in the 3:2 resonance (including Pluto) have secondaries that are significantly smaller and closer to the primary. Our newly discovered equal sized binary indicates a different binary formation mechanism operating within the 3:2 resonance population. Equal sized binaries are common in other parts of the Kuiper Belt and are believed to have formed through some sort of collisionless interactions within a much denser Kuiper Belt. None of these other known equal sized binary objects could be efficiently observed with Spitzer because of their extreme faintness and distance. We request Spitzer time to observe this new bright binary in order to constrain the albedo and thus size of the binary components. Knowledge of these physical parameters along with the binary orbital information will allow us to determine the bulk densities of the binary. This will constrain what kind of formation mechanisms would allow such a binary to form. These results will give us insights into the collisional history and evolution of the 3:2 resonance population and Kuiper Belt and put strong constraints on when and where the 3:2 resonance population was formed.

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