Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-94d59 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-26T22:28:02.902Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Trans–Neptunian objects' surface properties

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2006

M. A. Barucci
Affiliation:
LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, 92195 Meudon cedex, France email: Antonella.Barucci@obspm.fr
N. Peixinho
Affiliation:
LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, 92195 Meudon cedex, France email: Antonella.Barucci@obspm.fr CAAUL, Observatório Astronómico de Lisboa, PT-1349-018 Lisboa, Portugal email: peixinho@oal.ul.pt
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Recent observations in visible photometry have provided B, V, R and I high quality colors for more than 130 objects. Color diversity is now a reality in the TNOs population. Relevant statistical analyses have been performed and all possible correlations between optical colors and orbital parameters have been analyzed. A taxonomy scheme based on multivariate statistical analysis of a subsample of 51 objects described by the 4 color indices (B-V, V-R, V-I and V-J) has been obtained. A tentative interpretation of the obtained groups in terms of surface characteristics is given. Moreover, an extension of this taxonomy to the other 84 objects for which only three colors indices (B-V, V-R, and V-I) are available, is also presented.

The faintness of these objects limits the spectroscopic observations. Despite this, our group provided visible and infrared spectra for 18 objects using the Very Large Telescope (ESO, Paranal, Chile). The wavelength region ranging 0.4–2.3 microns encompasses diagnostic spectral features to investigate organic compounds, minerals and ices present on the surface of the TNOs. The investigation of the surface variation can be an identifier of possible composition diversity and/or different evolution with different physical processes affecting the surface.

The current knowledge of the surface properties and composition of the population will be presented, analyzed and interpreted.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
© 2006 International Astronomical Union