The orbit of Pluto's satellite

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Calibrating, Natural Satellites, Orbital Elements, Planetary Orbits, Pluto (Planet), Speckle Patterns, Interferometry, Light Curve, Pluto, Satellites, Orbits, Interferometry, Earth-Based Observations, Astronomy, Calibration, Occultations, Period, Rotation, Tidal Effects, Density, Mass, Size, Celestial Mechancis, Charon

Scientific paper

Nineteen speckle interferometric observations of the Pluto system have been used to improve the determination of the orbital elements for Pluto's satellite. Calibration uncertainties appear to be the dominant source of error, but the observation of a partial occultation of the satellite by Pluto has been used to constrain the orbit solution. The orbital period is found to be in excellent agreement with the rotational period of the planet, reinforcing the belief that the system is completely tidally evolved. The orbital radius and period imply a total mass for the system of 6.8±0.5×10-9M_sun;. Density constraints place an upper limit of 3615±90 km on the diameter of Pluto, while observations of the first mutual events establish a crude lower limit of about 2800 km.

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