Observation of new trans-Neptunian Objects in the Dark Energy Survey Supernova Fields
Abstract
The Dark Energy Survey (DES) is a five-year optical imaging survey intended to measure the growth of structure and expansion history of the universe over a wide span of cosmic time. As part of this effort, the survey images ten separate 3 sq. deg. fields approximately weekly to search for Type Ia supernovae. These fields generate a rich time series of data that can be used to search for other interesting objects, such as moving transients. Among these are trans-Neptunian objects, including classical Kuiper Belt objects as well as scattered and detached disk objects. We have searched the data collected during DES's two and a half seasons for such objects. Our analysis revealed sixteen previously unknown outer solar system objects, including one Neptune trojan, several objects in mean motion resonances with Neptune, and a distant scattered disk object whose 1200-year orbital period is among the 50 longest known.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #225
- Pub Date:
- January 2015
- Bibcode:
- 2015AAS...22545303J