Computer Science – Performance
Scientific paper
Sep 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.4711m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #47.11
Computer Science
Performance
Scientific paper
Observations in the millimeter range (100-900 GHz) are the only ground-based method to detect surface thermal emission from Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). They can offer an unique access to surface properties such as emissivity, soil refractive index, porosity and thermal inertia. Combined with visible photometry, they allow the retrieval of KBO diameters and albedos, adding size measurements to the database built from Spitzer and ISO observations.
While such detections are currently limited to few large KBOs, starting in 2010 observations with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) will dramatically increase the number of detectable targets. The array, eventually composing of 50 12-meter diameter antennas, could firmly detect more than 400 objects due to the sensitive 345 GHz band (band 7), significantly extending the large survey starting this year by Herschel. The high spatial resolution (down to 10 milli-arcseconds) offered by the largest array configurations will enable surface mapping of large objects (Pluto, Quaoar, Makemake), that may reveal geographical albedo variations and/or limb darkening effects. ALMA could also resolve individual members of multiple systems with a better sharpness than space telescopes, and the possibility of very quick imaging will make for accurate light-curve measurements and shape determination on dozens of objects. Finally, the linearly polarized receivers may also allow mapping of the polarization ratio on large objects, which can be related to soil dielectric properties. Realistic simulations of detection and imaging performances obtained with the ALMA simulator developed by the GILDAS team will be discussed, along with applications to specific cases. Examples of pilot surface studies performed on larger planetary objects with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) will be displayed.
Gurwell Mark
Lellouch Emmanuel
Moreno Rafael
Moullet Arielle
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