NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0208
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0208 |
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PI: Michael Brown, Caltech (Geo. and Planetary), mbrown@caltech.edu
Address: Division of Geological and Planetary Science, MS 170-25, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
CoI: Hagai Perets, CfA
Title: First detection of Kozai evolution in an astrophysical system
Abstract:
Kozai oscillation -- the secular evolution of highly inclined triple systems
-- has been theorized to play an important tole in the dynamical evolution of
systems from asteroid satellites, , exoplanets, and stellar systems, yet this
dynamical evolution has never been directly observed in any astrophysical
system owing to the long time scales involved. The satellite of the asteroid
Huenna, however, is predictd to have a Kozai period of only 46 years. We
propose a new determination of the orbital parameters of the satellite of
Huenna. With the last determination almost 8 years ago and the expected
orbital changes in that time larger than the expected uncertainties, we
expect to obtain the first direct detection of Kozai evolution and a
confirmation of the importanace of this seemingly ubiquitous process.
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 > 2013A-0208 |
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