Characterization of Trans-Neptunian Binaries
Abstract
During the "TNOs are Cool: A Survey of the Trans-Neptunian Region" two important physical properties, such as size and albedo, have been obtained from Herschel and Spitzer thermal emission measurements. In this present work we describe an analysis of 28 binary and 2 triple objects related to the "TNOs are cool" project. Firstly, this analysis contains a comparison of multiples with other TNOs by their albedo and diameter characteristics. Secondly, an analysis on correlations between physical and orbital parameters is performed.The knowledge of size allows to estimate the bulk density, which is a crucial parameter containing information on the internal structure of TNOs. Hence, the density estimation problem requires known mass, whose measurement is only possible if the object has a satellite with a known orbit. Unfortunately, from our dataset of binaries only few of them have a full orbit solution and, consequently, a derived bulk density. The lack of observations of such distant objects leads to difficulties in close satellite's orbit determination. A statistical approach, based on a Monte-Carlo Markov chain global optimisation algorithm, is proposed for this problem.
- Publication:
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AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #48
- Pub Date:
- October 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016DPS....4811305D