| Name | OT1_evileniu_1 |
| Title | Probing the extremes of the outer Solar System: short-term variability of the largest, the densest and the most distant TNOs from PACS photometry |
| URL | http://archives.esac.esa.int/hsa/whsa-tap-server/data?retrieval_type=OBSERVATION&observation_id=1342224854&instrument_name=PACS&product_level=LEVEL0&compress=true |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-hcneka4 |
| Author | European Space Agency |
| Description | Pluto was believed to be the outermost object in the Solar System until, at the end of the last Millenium, a number of similar objects were found on orbits beyond Neptune. These objects are now being designated as Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) and are believed to be a reminder of a primordial population. The TNO population comprises a wide range of orbital types and spectral features, many of which are of icy nature. Their origin and evolution are still an open question and subject to debate. We propose repeated high-SNR PACS photometry observations of three extreme specimen of the TNO population: (136199) Eris, the largest dwarf planet, (90377) Sedna, the most distant body in the Solar System and (50000) Quaoar, the densest TNO observed so far. We request a total of 51.7 hours of Herschel observing time using different channels, aiming a SNR of 10 or higher. We intend to perform time-series photometry in order to refine physical properties, which have often been determined using coarse thermal models and single-band data in the past, to find hints of thermal IR lightcurves of Eris and Sedna and to make a high SNR observation of the entire lightcurve of Quaoar. Together with available optical lightcurves we can distinguish whether flux variations are due to shape effects or inhomogeneities of the object.s surface. We will make use of existing thermal and thermophysical models to refine physical properties, which may be used to recompute density estimations for Eris and Quaoar and to model surface compositions. Herschel is highly suitable for this task, since it offers the highest sensitivity available to date in the far-IR regime, in which TNO emission peaks due their low surface temperatures. Our results will put constraints on some of the important questions concerning the Trans-Neptunian region and will therefore be of vital importance for observers and modelers in Solar System sciences. |
| Publication | |
| Instrument | PACS_PacsPhoto_largeScan |
| Temporal Coverage | 2011-07-29T17:06:33Z/2012-02-09T15:46:25Z |
| Version | SPG v14.2.0 |
| Mission Description | Herschel was launched on 14 May 2009! It is the fourth 'cornerstone' mission in the ESA science programme. With a 3.5 m Cassegrain telescope it is the largest space telescope ever launched. It is performing photometry and spectroscopy in approximately the 55-671 µm range, bridging the gap between earlier infrared space missions and groundbased facilities. |
| Creator Contact | https://support.cosmos.esa.int/h®erschel/ |
| Date Published | 2012-08-09T14:35:51Z |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, 2012, Probing The Extremes Of The Outer Solar System: Short-Term Variability Of The Largest Comma The Densest And The Most Distant Tnos From Pacs Photometry, SPG v14.2.0, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-hcneka4 |