The shapes, densities, and phase functions of trans-Neptunian objects

Details The shapes, densities, and phase functions of trans-Neptunian objects The shapes, densities, and phase functions of trans-Neptunian objects

Nov 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002esasp.500...21s&link_type=abstract

In: Proceedings of Asteroids, Comets, Meteors - ACM 2002. International Conference, 29 July - 2 August 2002, Berlin, Germany. Ed

Computer Science

1

Trans-Neptunian Objects: Lightcurves

Scientific paper

We present a systematic investigation of the rotational lightcurves of trans-Neptunian objects based on extensive optical data from Mauna Kea. Four of 13 objects (corresponding to 31%) in our sample ((33128) 1998 BU48, 2000 GN171, (20000) Varuna and (40314) 1999 KR16) were found to exhibit lightcurves with peak-to-peak range ≥0.15 magnitude. In the sample 23% of the objects have lightcurve ranges ≥0.4 magnitudes. Curiously, the objects are very large (≥250 km diameter, assuming an albedo of 0.04) and, in the absence of rotation, should be near spherical due to self compression. We propose that the large amplitude, short period objects are rotationally distorted, low density rubble piles. Statistically, the trans-Neptunian objects are less spherical than their main-belt asteroid counterparts, indicating a higher specific angular momentum perhaps resulting from the formation epoch. In addition to the rotational lightcurves, we measured phase darkening for 7 Kuiper Belt objects in the 0 to 2 degree phase angle range. Unlike Pluto, the measured values show steep slopes consistent with backscatter from low albedo porous surface materials.

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