NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0225
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0225 |
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PI: Alex Parker, University of Victoria, alexhp@uvic.ca
Address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, PO Box 3055, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P6, Canada
CoI: Lynne Jones, University of Washington
CoI: Brett Gladman
CoI: JJ Kavelaars, Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
CoI: Edward Lin, NCU, Taiwan
CoI: Jean-Luc Margot, Cornell University
CoI: Olivier Mousis, Obs. de Besancon, France
CoI: Joel Parker, SWRI, USA
CoI: Jean-Marc Petit, Obs. de Besancon, France
CoI: Phillipe Rouselot, Obs. de Besancon, France
Title: Weighing KBOs II: Continued Charaterization Kuiper Belt Binaries
Abstract:
Long period Kuiper Belt binaries - being difficult to create and very
sensitive to perturbation - yield unique insight into the physical properties
of these distant comets as well as probing the dynamical and collisional
conditions over the history of the outer Solar System. The orbital,
compositional and statistical properties of these binaries constrain the
total mass and dynamical history of the various populations, with important
implications for theories of Solar System formation.
This proposal is a continuation of a survey (previously awarded
GN-2009A-Q-17) to track and characterize the mutual orbits of all known
wide-separation, equal-sized Kuiper Belt Binary systems that have poorly
constrained orbits. Accurately measuring the orbits of binary systems with a
series of high-SN optical (GMOS) observations allows determination of mass
and system angular momentum, which provide constraints on formation
mechanisms.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0225 |
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