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Dynamical analysis of three distant trans-Neptunian objects with similar orbits

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posted on 2023-06-12, 07:31 authored by T Khain, J C Becker, F C Adams, D W Gerdes, S J Hamilton, K Franson, L Zullo, M Sako, K. Napier, Hsing Wen Lin, L Markwardt, P Bernardinelli, T M C Abbott, F B Abdalla, J Annis, S Avila, E Bertin, D Brooks, A Carnero Rosell, M Carrasco Kind, J Carretero, C E Cunha, L N da Costa, C Davis, J. De Vicente, S Desai, H T Diehl, P Doel, T F Eifler, B Flaugher, J Frieman, J García-Bellido, D Gruen, R A Gruendl, G Gutierrez, W G Hartley, D L Hollowood, K Honscheid, D J James, E Krause, K Kuehn, N Kuropatkin, O Lahav, M A G Maia, F Menanteau, R Miquel, B Nord, R L C Ogando, A A Plazas, Kathy RomerKathy Romer, E Sanchez, V Scarpine, R Schindler, M Schubnell, I Sevilla-Noarbe, M Smith, M Soares-Santos, F Sobreira, E Suchyta, M E C Swanson, G Tarle, V Vikram, A R Walker, W Wester, Y Zhang
This paper reports the discovery and orbital characterization of two extreme trans-Neptunian objects (ETNOs), 2016 QV 89 and 2016 QU 89 , which have orbits that appear similar to that of a previously known object, 2013 UH 15 . All three ETNOs have semi-major axes a˜172 AU and eccentricities e˜0.77 . The angular elements (i,?,O) vary by 6, 15, and 49 deg, respectively between the three objects. The two new objects add to the small number of TNOs currently known to have semi-major axes between 150 and 250 AU, and serve as an interesting dynamical laboratory to study the outer realm of our Solar System. Using a large ensemble of numerical integrations, we find that the orbits are expected to reside in close proximity in the (a,e) phase plane for roughly 100 Myr before diffusing to more separated values. We then explore other scenarios that could influence their orbits. With aphelion distances over 300 AU, the orbits of these ETNOs extend far beyond the classical Kuiper Belt, and an order of magnitude beyond Neptune. As a result, their orbital dynamics can be affected by the proposed new Solar System member, referred to as Planet Nine in this work. With perihelion distances of 35-40 AU, these orbits are also influenced by resonant interactions with Neptune. A full assessment of any possible, new Solar System planets must thus take into account this emerging class of TNOs.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Astronomical Journal

ISSN

0004-6256

Publisher

American Astronomical Society

Issue

6

Volume

156

Page range

273 1-14

Department affiliated with

  • Physics and Astronomy Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Astronomy Centre Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-12-14

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-12-14

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-12-13

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