Astrometry of New Horizons KBO candidates

Mathematics – Probability

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

The New Horizons {NH} spacecraft is on its way to study the Pluto system during a flyby. After the Pluto encounter, it is planned that the spacecraft will be retargeted to one or more yet-to-be-discovered Kuiper Belt Objects {KBOs} to learn about small KBOs and the Kuiper Belt debris body population. Ground-based observations using large class telescopes are underway to discover a KBO target that will be within the trajectory cone of NH. Unfortunately, the NH trajectory's line of site is within the galactic plane {Sagittarius} making stellar confusion a major problem in detecting and tracking KBOs in this region. HSTÕs sensitivity, resolution and PSF stability are a significant advantage in these confusion-limited starfields. We are requesting TOO orbits for up to 3 KBOs {2 orbits per KBO} to be triggered in the event that a candidate object is found in the NH trajectory. Objects must be recovered at multiple epochs to determine if their orbits will continue to place the object within the NH trajectory in the future. The observations we propose will also determine if the candidate is binary { 30% probability per candidate} and make a preliminary color determination.;

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