Publication
Mass Densities of KBOs and Centaurs from Spitzer Observations
Mueller, M., Spencer, J., Stansberry, J. & Grundy, W., 1-Sep-2009, In : Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society. 41Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › Academic

The dynamical and physical properties of the Small Solar System Bodies
in the outer Solar system, Centaurs and Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs),
contain important clues on the formation and evolution of the early
Solar System. The only practical way to study their internal properties,
such as chemical composition and macroporosity, is to measure their mass
density.
We report the size and optical albedo of seven binaries (and constraints
on more), based on observations with MIPS onboard the Spitzer Space
Telescope. The masses we use are obtained from multi-epoch
high-resolution optical imaging with HST, which give the orbital period
and semimajor axis - the mass then follows from Newton's parametrization
of Kepler's third law.
Most of our MIPS data have been discussed in the past few years, using
different versions of the MIPS data reduction and calibration pipeline,
and different thermal models to derive diameters. We here present a
complete re-analysis of the data, taking the most up-to-date knowledge
about MIPS into account and using the same thermal model throughout.
Where available, updates on HST-derived masses are also accounted for.
Resulting densities are highly diverse, with some implying significant
voids in the interior and others indicating the presence of heavier
materials than water ice, e.g. silicates.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Journal | Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society |
Volume | 41 |
Publication status | Published - 1-Sep-2009 |
Event | 41st DPS meeting of the American Astronomical Society, 2009 - Puerto Rico, United States Duration: 4-Oct-2009 → 9-Oct-2009 |
Event
41st DPS meeting of the American Astronomical Society, 2009
04/10/2009 → 09/10/2009
Puerto Rico, United StatesEvent: Conference
ID: 20904148