The Charon-Pluto mass ratio from MKO astrometry

Details The Charon-Pluto mass ratio from MKO astrometry The Charon-Pluto mass ratio from MKO astrometry

Apr 1994

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1994icar..108..186y&link_type=abstract

Icarus, vol. 108, no. 2, pt. 1, p. 186-199

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

19

Astrometry, Center Of Gravity, Charon, Mass Ratios, Planetary Mass, Pluto (Planet), Astronomical Photography, Charge Coupled Devices, Telescopes

Scientific paper

Using the University of Hawaii (UH) 2.2-m telescope, we obtained charge coupled device (CCD) images of Pluto as it passed through a single field of 10 stars during 6 nights of Charon's 6.4-day orbital period. From these data, Charon's orbital semimajor axis is found to be 19,460 +/- 58 km, which is consistent with the recent measurement by Null et al. (1993), of 19,405 +/- 86 km. Our semimajor axis implies a system mass of (14.32 +/- 0.13) x 1024 g. From the motions of Pluto and Charon around their barycenter, we find that the ratio of Charon's mass to Pluto's is 0.1566 +/- 0.0035, indicating that the bodies both have densities near 2 g/cc. Our ratio is nearly twice that of Null et al., who find a ratio of 0.0837 +/- 0.0147. Possible reasons for the large discrepancy are discussed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Charon-Pluto mass ratio from MKO astrometry does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Charon-Pluto mass ratio from MKO astrometry, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Charon-Pluto mass ratio from MKO astrometry will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1257470