Pioneer Anomaly and the Kuiper Belt mass distribution

Details Pioneer Anomaly and the Kuiper Belt mass distribution Pioneer Anomaly and the Kuiper Belt mass distribution

2005-06-15

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0506330v3

Class.Quant.Grav. 23 (2006) 4625-4635

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Plain latex; 17 pages, 12 figures. Version to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravity (2006)

Scientific paper

10.1088/0264-9381/23/14/005

Pioneer 10 and 11 were the first probes sent to study the outer planets of the Solar System and Pioneer 10 was the first spacecraft to leave the Solar System. Besides their already epic journeys, Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft were subjected to an unaccounted effect interpreted as a constant acceleration toward the Sun, the so-called Pioneer anomaly. One of the possibilities put forward for explaining the Pioneer anomaly is the gravitational acceleration of the Kuiper Belt. In this work we examine this hypothesis for various models for the Kuiper Belt mass distribution. We find that the gravitational effect due to the Kuiper Belt cannot account for the Pioneer anomaly. Furthermore, we have also studied the hypothesis that drag forces can explain the the Pioneer anomaly; however we conclude that the density required for producing the Pioneer anomaly is many orders of magnitude greater than those of interplanetary and interstellar dust. Our conclusions suggest that only through a mission, the Pioneer anomaly can be confirmed and further investigated. If a mission with these aims is ever sent to space, it turns out, on account of our results, that it will be also a quite interesting probe to study the mass distribution of the Kuiper Belt.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Pioneer Anomaly and the Kuiper Belt mass distribution 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 Pioneer Anomaly and the Kuiper Belt mass distribution, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pioneer Anomaly and the Kuiper Belt mass distribution will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-289230