Unbiased Inclination Distributions for Objects in the Kuiper Belt

Details Unbiased Inclination Distributions for Objects in the Kuiper Belt Unbiased Inclination Distributions for Objects in the Kuiper Belt

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.6202g&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #62.02

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

The inclination distribution of Kupier Belt Objects (KBOs) records and reflects the early evolution of the outer Solar System. We have devised a method for debiasing Deep Ecliptic Survey (DES) data specifically to investigate inclination distributions of these objects. We present the resulting distributions for 482 KBOs and Centaurs discovered on valid DES search frames as grouped by DES dynamical classification. These inclination distributions are with respect to the plane of the Kuiper Belt (Elliot et al. 2005, AJ, 129, 1117), although the debiasing method is generalized for reference to any chosen plane.
A bimodal distribution for KBOs is confirmed, with approximately 80% of the objects in the higher-inclination grouping. We also confirm a bimodal distribution for Classical KBOs that is well fit by sin i multiplied by a double Gaussian having widths 1.90°±0.06° and 9.17°±0.59°, with an equal number of objects in each Gaussian. The combined grouping of Scattered objects (predominantly Scattered Near) exhibits an inclination distribution that matches sin i multiplied by a single Gaussian of width 5.6°±0.8° that is offset from the plane by 20.9°±0.9°. Objects in the two most populated DES resonances have distinctly different inclinations: all 7:4 objects have inclinations less than 6°, while the distribution for the 3:2 objects increases up to ˜18° and then falls off sharply. Centaur inclinations peak just below 20°, with one exceptionally high-inclination object near 80°.
A simple statistical comparison indicates similarities among the currently observed inclination distributions of Centaurs, Scattered Extended KBOs, and Jupiter-family comets (JFCs). Additionally, the current inclination distributions of Resonant and Classical KBOs are statistically dissimilar to the Centaurs and JFCs. While the sample sizes of some dynamical classes remain small, these results should begin to serve as critical diagnostics for models of Solar System evolution.
This work was supported partially by NSF grant AST07-07609.

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