Dynamical parameter determinations in Pluto’s system
Pluto is the multiple system that has been observed the longest. Yet, the masses of its smallest satellites, Nix and Hydra, which were discovered in 2005, are still imprecisely known, because of the short time span and number of available observations. We present a numerical model that takes into ac...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en_US |
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EDP Sciences
2014
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/85550 |
| _version_ | 1826215969598472192 |
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| author | Beauvalet, L. Lainey, V. Arlot, J.-E. Binzel, Richard P |
| author2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences |
| author_facet | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Beauvalet, L. Lainey, V. Arlot, J.-E. Binzel, Richard P |
| author_sort | Beauvalet, L. |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Pluto is the multiple system that has been observed the longest. Yet, the masses of its smallest satellites, Nix and Hydra, which were discovered in 2005, are still imprecisely known, because of the short time span and number of available observations. We present a numerical model that takes into account the second order gravity fields and Pluto’s orbital motion in the solar system. We investigated the dynamical parameters that may be reliably determined today. We also assessed the possible improvements on the parameter uncertainties with the future increase of observations, including the New Horizons mission. Fitting our model to simulated data, we show that the precision of observations prevents the quantification of the polar oblateness J2 and equatorial bulge c22 of Pluto and Charon. Similarly, we show that the masses are on the detection limit. In particular, unless 25 observations are made every year, the mass of Nix may be constrained with confidence only with New Horizons data. Hydra’s mass will only be constrained by the probe. The recent discovery of P4 might change this situation, but our knowledge of this object is still too vague to draw any conclusion. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T16:40:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | mit-1721.1/85550 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | en_US |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T16:40:18Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | EDP Sciences |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/855502024-05-15T02:11:40Z Dynamical parameter determinations in Pluto’s system Beauvalet, L. Lainey, V. Arlot, J.-E. Binzel, Richard P Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Binzel, Richard P. Pluto is the multiple system that has been observed the longest. Yet, the masses of its smallest satellites, Nix and Hydra, which were discovered in 2005, are still imprecisely known, because of the short time span and number of available observations. We present a numerical model that takes into account the second order gravity fields and Pluto’s orbital motion in the solar system. We investigated the dynamical parameters that may be reliably determined today. We also assessed the possible improvements on the parameter uncertainties with the future increase of observations, including the New Horizons mission. Fitting our model to simulated data, we show that the precision of observations prevents the quantification of the polar oblateness J2 and equatorial bulge c22 of Pluto and Charon. Similarly, we show that the masses are on the detection limit. In particular, unless 25 observations are made every year, the mass of Nix may be constrained with confidence only with New Horizons data. Hydra’s mass will only be constrained by the probe. The recent discovery of P4 might change this situation, but our knowledge of this object is still too vague to draw any conclusion. United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (New Horizons Mission science team) 2014-03-06T20:47:42Z 2014-03-06T20:47:42Z 2012-03 2011-03 Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle 0004-6361 1432-0746 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/85550 Beauvalet, L., V. Lainey, J.-E. Arlot, and R. P. Binzel. “Dynamical Parameter Determinations in Pluto’s System.” Astronomy & Astrophysics 540 (April 2012): A65. en_US http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201116952 Astronomy & Astrophysics Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use. application/pdf EDP Sciences EDP Sciences |
| spellingShingle | Beauvalet, L. Lainey, V. Arlot, J.-E. Binzel, Richard P Dynamical parameter determinations in Pluto’s system |
| title | Dynamical parameter determinations in Pluto’s system |
| title_full | Dynamical parameter determinations in Pluto’s system |
| title_fullStr | Dynamical parameter determinations in Pluto’s system |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dynamical parameter determinations in Pluto’s system |
| title_short | Dynamical parameter determinations in Pluto’s system |
| title_sort | dynamical parameter determinations in pluto s system |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/85550 |
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