Densities, Diameters and Albedos of Trans-Neptunian Binaries

Details Densities, Diameters and Albedos of Trans-Neptunian Binaries Densities, Diameters and Albedos of Trans-Neptunian Binaries

Mar 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008sptz.prop50024s&link_type=abstract

Spitzer Proposal ID #50024

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Scientific paper

We propose to determine diameters and albedos for 8 KBOs, 4 members of the cold-classical (low inclination, low eccentricity) class, 2 on orbits resonant with Neptune's, and 2 scattered objects. All have estimated diameters less than 500 km. Of the 4 comparably-sized KBOs with known densities, none are in the classical belt: this program will provide the first diameter and albedo, and utimately density, determinations for classical KBOs. Density determinations will be made by combining our Spitzer results with those from an on-going comlementary HST program. Currently there are 7 binaries with well-determined diameters (5 based solely on Spitzer observations) and densities, three with diameters of 1000 km or larger. The program we propose will double the total sample of binaries with well-determined diameters and albedos, extend the sample to classical objects, and focus entirely on medium-sized targets. These densities will provide better understanding of the composition and internal structure of TNOs and Centaurs, which in turn provide clues regarding conditions in the outer proto-planetary disk. The densities can also be compared with those of cometary nuclei, providing clues into the mechanisms by which some TNOs are transformed into comets. Our diameters will also provide valuable constraints on models for the formation of TNO binaries, and the albedos will provide additional insight into the relationships between TNO binaries and other physical (color, composition) and dynamical classes of TNOs.

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