Dynamically-motivated observations of three populations of Kuiper belt

Details Dynamically-motivated observations of three populations of Kuiper belt Dynamically-motivated observations of three populations of Kuiper belt

Feb 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000noao.prop..315h&link_type=abstract

NOAO Proposal ID #2000A-0315

Other

Scientific paper

The Kuiper belt is comprised of three populations: objects in Neptune's mean motion resonances, objects with more distant non-resonant orbits, and objects that have been scattered by Neptune. The dynamics of resonant and scattered objects affects their observability and therefore complicates any estimate of their intrinsic abundances. While non-resonant objects are equally observable at all ecliptic longitudes, the 2:3 resonant Kuiper belt objects reach perihelion at ecliptic longitudes separated 90° from Neptune, where they are significantly brighter and hence overrepresented. The resonant dynamics also implies that some objects are most observable at moderate ecliptic latitudes rather than on the ecliptic plane. By comparing the number of KBOs discovered at two different ecliptic longitudes, one 90° and another 180° from Neptune, we can the determine the intrinsic abundances of the different populations. By searching three ecliptic latitudes, 0°, 15°, and 30°, at both of the longitudes we will also constrain the intrinsic size and inclination distributions of the three populations. We will search one ecliptic longitude this semester and will request time to search a second in the 00II semester. We expect to discover roughly 30-50 new KBOs in this run. This proposal was awarded two nights in the 99I semester, May 5-6, 1999. Both nights were lost to poor weather and poor seeing.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Dynamically-motivated observations of three populations of Kuiper belt does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Dynamically-motivated observations of three populations of Kuiper belt, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dynamically-motivated observations of three populations of Kuiper belt will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1800797