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Orbit computation for transneptunian objects |
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| Authors: | Jenni Virtanen Gonzalo Tancredi Edward Bowell |
| Institution: | a Observatory, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 14, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland b Departamento Astronomia, Facultad Ciencias, Tristan Narvaja 1674, 11200 Montevideo, Uruguay c Astronomical Observatory of Torino, via Osservatorio 20, I-10025 Pino Torinese (TO), Italy d Lowell Observatory, 1400 West Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA |
| Abstract: | Using statistical orbital ranging, we systematically study the orbit computation problem for transneptunian objects (TNOs). We have automated orbit computation for large numbers of objects, and, more importantly, we are able to obtain orbits even for the most sparsely observed objects (observational arcs of a few days). For such objects, the resulting orbit distributions include a large number of high-eccentricity orbits, in which TNOs can be perturbed by close encounters with Neptune. The stability of bodies on the computed orbits has therefore been ascertained by performing a study of close encounters with the major planets. We classify TNO orbit distributions statistically, and we study the evolution of their ephemeris uncertainties. We find that the orbital element distributions for the most numerous single-apparition TNOs do not support the existence of a postulated sharp edge to the belt beyond 50 AU. The technique of statistical ranging provides ephemeris predictions more generally than previously possible also for poorly observed TNOs. |
| Keywords: | Orbits Transneptunian objects Kuiper-belt objects |
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