Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Renu Malhotra, Takashi Ito
Summary: The unusual properties of Pluto's orbit provide evidence for the orbital migration of giant planets in the early solar system. However, some properties remain enigmatic. This study investigates the gravitational effects of the giant planets on Pluto's orbit and finds that the latitudinal constraint is possible due to the orbital architecture of other giant planets. Additionally, Jupiter has a stabilizing influence while Uranus has a destabilizing influence on Pluto's orbit. Overall, Pluto's orbit is surprisingly close to a zone of strong chaos.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
B. J. Buratti, M. D. Hicks, E. Kramer, J. Bauer, D. R. Ciardi, M. B. Lund, K. J. Lawrence
Summary: Near-infrared observations of the Pluto-Charon system revealed significant opposition surges in the last half degree of solar phase angle, with different geometric albedo values possibly attributed to seasonal volatile transport and active geological processes.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Dionysios Gakis, Konstantinos N. Gourgouliatos
Summary: Using fast Fourier transforms, this study identifies a series of oscillations in the orbits of the four small moons in the Pluto-Charon system, induced by the binary dwarf planet of Pluto and Charon. The results suggest that these moon orbits can be modeled as a superposition of inevitable oscillations, even with zero eccentricity. Gravitational effects between the moons, especially the lighter ones, play a significant role in their long-term evolution and dominate the low-frequency region of the power spectrum.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jeffrey M. Moore, William B. McKinnon
Summary: Pluto and Charon exhibit diverse geologies, surface compositions, and crater retention ages despite their similar densities. Pluto's surface reflects significant surface-atmosphere interactions, while Charon displays evidence of earlier endogenic vigor. The presence of potential subsurface oceans on both bodies suggests sustained internal heat release. These findings may have implications for understanding the geologic history of dwarf planets in the Kuiper belt.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES, VOL 49, 2021
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Edward Ashton, Brett Gladman, J. J. Kavelaars, R. Lynne Jones, K. Simon Krughoff, Mike Alexandersen, Michele T. Bannister, Ying-Tung Chen, Stephen Gwyn, Jean-Marc Petit, Kathryn Volk
Summary: This passage discusses bodies left over from the epoch of planet formation, especially those beyond the giant planets in the Solar System. Researchers used data from OSSOS to search for objects beyond 300 au using a rarely used technique, and found a null detection of slow moving Solar System objects. They obtained a model-dependent 95% upper limit of about 1000 on the number of 'planetary' objects with absolute magnitudes less than 2 in the distant Solar System.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Sugata P. Tan
Summary: This study aims to investigate the fate of phase equilibria on Pluto's surface and in its lower atmosphere, as well as the non-ideality of vapour-solid phase equilibria for more accurate calculations in Pluto's applications.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Atila Poro, Farzaneh Ahangarani Farahani, Majid Bahraminasr, Maryam Hadizadeh, Fatemeh Najafi Kodini, Maryam Rezaee, Mahsa Seifi Gargari
Summary: The study observed Pluto's stellar occultation in Iran in June 2020 and investigated its atmospheric parameters, finding a continuation of the pressure increase trend since 1988. The results indicate that the N2 sublimation process from Sputnik Planitia is ongoing.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2021)
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandra Witze
Summary: The mysterious space rock, possibly the exposed core of a planet that failed to fully form, could provide insights into the origins of the Solar System.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandra Witze
Summary: Samples collected by NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission have the potential to reveal secrets of the Solar System.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rodney Gomes
Summary: The Classical Kuiper Belt consists of low inclination objects with reddish colors, mostly in binary systems. These objects are believed to have formed in situ from primordial ice pebbles coalescing into planetesimals. A proposed mechanism suggests that reddish objects originated in the outer part of the planetesimal disk and were transported to their current locations by various processes, including short range scattering. This theory aims to explain the distribution of all objects sharing similar color characteristics in the outer region of the primordial planetesimal disk, with the Cold Classical Kuiper Belt estimated to have formed closer inwards and with a greater mass compared to its present state.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Alan P. Jackson, Steven J. Desch
Summary: The study proposes that the interstellar object 1I/'Oumuamua may be composed of N-2 ice, with a high albedo, and was ejected from a young stellar system, potentially probing the surface compositions of a new type of exoplanet.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meenakshi Wadhwa
Summary: The safe delivery of samples from an asteroid on September 24th will commence a global scientific journey, highlighting the need for support in similar missions.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ko Arimatsu, Kohji Tsumura, Fumihiko Usui, Jun-ichi Watanabe
Summary: By investigating the optical characteristics of flashes caused by the impact of outer Solar System objects on Jupiter and the contributions of reflected light from surface clouds, we can estimate more accurate bulk parameters and better understand the properties of these impact events.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Stuart J. Robbins, Kelsi N. Singer
Summary: The size-frequency distribution (SFD) of objects in the solar system is influenced by their formation and dynamic evolution, with bodies in different regions likely experiencing different histories. Accurate measurement of SFD is aided by impact craters, formed from smaller bodies striking larger ones, with crater SFDs often easier to measure than the impactors themselves. Results from studies on Pluto and Charon's crater populations show a transition to shallower SFD near 10-15 km, with slopes of approximately -1.7 +/- 0.2 for smaller craters and -3.8 +/- 0.6 for larger craters, consistent with previous findings.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Maria C. Lopez, A. Brunini
Summary: Trans-Neptunian binaries may have played a dominant role in the primitive trans-Neptunian populations, and binary-binary interactions could be a key evolutionary path. Numerical experiments show that the relative speeds of encounters play a significant role in the relative variation of orbital elements, showing good agreement with impulsive approximation models involving a binary and a single intruder; however, deviations from this model are observed when varying mass, semimajor axis, and closest approach distance between pairs of binaries.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
C. M. Lisse, M. R. Combi, T. L. Farnham, N. Dello Russo, S. Sandford, A. F. Cheng, U. Fink, W. M. Harris, J. McMahon, D. J. Scheeres, H. A. Weaver, J. Leary
Summary: This study presents a detailed analysis of spacecraft operations near a comet nucleus and the potential hazards associated with it. By using simple calculations and sophisticated engineering models, the study concludes that with proper spacecraft design and operations planning, the near-nucleus environment can be relatively safe for long-term operations. The conditions around a comet are generally more benign than those on Mars, and modern Attitude Control Systems can effectively address stochastic forces and navigation errors.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Tod R. Lauer, Marc Postman, John R. Spencer, Harold A. Weaver, S. Alan Stern, G. Randall Gladstone, Richard P. Binzel, Daniel T. Britt, Marc W. Buie, Bonnie J. Buratti, Andrew F. Cheng, W. M. Grundy, Mihaly Horanyi, J. J. Kavelaars, Ivan R. Linscott, Carey M. Lisse, William B. McKinnon, Ralph L. McNutt, Jeffrey M. Moore, J. Nunez, Catherine B. Olkin, Joel W. Parker, Simon B. Porter, Dennis C. Reuter, Stuart J. Robbins, Paul M. Schenk, Mark R. Showalter, Kelsi N. Singer, Anne J. Verbiscer, Leslie A. Young
Summary: Using New Horizons LORRI images, we measured the optical-band sky brightness within a high-galactic-latitude field, obtaining a significant detection of the cosmic optical background (COB) which differs significantly from previous studies. Subtracting scattered light from bright stars and galaxies revealed a background flux component of unknown origin.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Derek S. Nelson, Frederic J. Pelletier, Marc W. Buie, Jeremy A. Bauman, Joel T. Fischetti, Yanping Guo, Stephen D. J. Gwyn, Mark E. Holdridge, J. J. Kavelaars, Erik J. Lessac-Chenen, Catherine B. Olkin, John Y. Pelgrift, Simon B. Porter, Gabe D. Rogers, Michael J. Salinas, John R. Spencer, Dale R. Stanbridge, S. Alan Stern, Harold A. Weaver, Bobby G. Williams, Kenneth E. Williams
Summary: The New Horizons mission successfully flew by the distant Kuiper-Belt Object Arrokoth, achieving the farthest planetary encounter to date. The navigation strategy involved close collaboration between the science and navigation teams to estimate the target's orbit and reduce uncertainties through various measurements and methods.
SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kelsi N. Singer, Oliver L. White, Bernard Schmitt, Erika L. Rader, Silvia Protopapa, William M. Grundy, Dale P. Cruikshank, Tanguy Bertrand, Paul M. Schenk, William B. McKinnon, S. Alan Stern, Rajani D. Dhingra, Kirby D. Runyon, Ross A. Beyer, Veronica J. Bray, Cristina Dalle Ore, John R. Spencer, Jeffrey M. Moore, Francis Nimmo, James T. Keane, Leslie A. Young, Catherine B. Olkin, Tod R. Lauer, Harold A. Weaver, Kimberly Ennico-Smith
Summary: The New Horizons spacecraft returned images and data showing that Pluto's terrains have diverse ages, ranging from ancient to very young. One region stands out with very few impact craters and is dominated by huge rises with hummocky flanks. It is believed that this terrain was resurfaced by cryovolcanic processes, which are unique to Pluto and suggest unexpected, active geology in Pluto's history.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
James T. Keane, Simon B. Porter, Ross A. Beyer, Orkan M. Umurhan, William B. McKinnon, Jeffrey M. Moore, John R. Spencer, S. Alan Stern, Carver J. Bierson, Richard P. Binzel, Douglas P. Hamilton, Carey M. Lisse, Xiaochen Mao, Silvia Protopapa, Paul M. Schenk, Mark R. Showalter, John A. Stansberry, Oliver L. White, Anne J. Verbiscer, Joel W. Parker, Catherine B. Olkin, Harold A. Weaver, Kelsi N. Singer
Summary: NASA's New Horizons mission flew by a small Kuiper Belt Object (KBO), (486958) Arrokoth, revealing its interesting geological features and geophysical environment. Arrokoth's surface features have a complex relationship with its geophysical environment, with bright material concentrated in low gravity areas. By inferring density, it was found that Arrokoth has a low bulk density, which is crucial for understanding the formation of planetesimals in the early Solar System.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
J. Bourdelle de Micas, S. Fornasier, C. Avdellidou, M. Delbo, G. van Belle, P. Ochner, W. Grundy, N. Moskovitz
Summary: We conducted a spectroscopic survey to investigate the composition of 64 inner main belt planetesimals (IMBPs). Through ground-based observational campaigns and literature data, we obtained spectra for 60 IMBPs. The majority of IMBPs belong to the S-complex, while a significant portion belongs to the C-complex and X-complex. Our results support the hypothesis of compositional mixing in the early Solar System.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
William B. McKinnon, Xiaochen Mao, P. M. Schenk, K. N. Singer, S. J. Robbins, O. L. White, R. A. Beyer, S. B. Porter, J. T. Keane, D. T. Britt, J. R. Spencer, W. M. Grundy, J. M. Moore, S. A. Stern, H. A. Weaver, C. B. Olkin
Summary: Evidence from Arrokoth and comets suggests that small Kuiper belt objects have low density and high porosities, and impact craters on Arrokoth are likely formed by compaction and material displacement.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shaelyn M. Raposa, Sugata P. Tan, William M. Grundy, Gerrick E. Lindberg, Jennifer Hanley, Jordan K. Steckloff, Stephen C. Tegler, Anna E. Engle, Cecilia L. Thieberger
Summary: This study measured the SLV equilibrium of binary mixtures and provides important data for planetary science and cryogenics research. The results show similarities in SLV curves between CO/CH4 and N-2/CH4 mixtures, which is significant for celestial bodies like Pluto, Triton, and Titan. Further investigations are needed to determine whether azeotropes exist in the N-2/CH4 and CO/CH4 systems.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jeffrey R. Johnson, William M. Grundy, Mark T. Lemmon, W. Liang, James F. Bell III, A. G. Hayes, R. G. Deen
Summary: Scientists analyzed the multispectral observations of soil, dust, and rock units obtained by the Curiosity rover during its mission on Mars. By using radiative transfer models, they were able to determine the surface scattering functions, single-scattering albedo, and microphysical properties of these units at different locations and times. The results were generally consistent with previous findings, but there were also some notable exceptions.
PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jason C. Cook, Silvia Protopapa, Cristina M. Dalle Ore, Dale P. Cruikshank, William M. Grundy, Carey M. Lisse, Bernard Schmitt, Anne Verbiscer, Kelsi N. Singer, John Spencer, S. Alan Stern, Harold A. Weaver
Summary: In this study, we examined the 2.21-mu m band of Charon using data obtained by New Horizons/LEISA. We found no significant variation in this band as Charon rotates. The 2.21-mu m band on Charon is several times weaker than on other moons, and we attribute it to NH4Cl based on the appearance of a weaker band at 2.24-mu m. Additionally, we observed two never-before-reported absorption features in Charon's spectrum at 1.60 and 1.63-mu m, which may also be explained by the presence of NH4Cl. If NH3-H2O ice mixtures are present on Charon, they must be a small fraction of the overall composition.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Eric Quirico, Aurore Bacmann, Cedric Wolters, Basile Auge, Laurene Flandinet, Thibault Launois, John F. Cooper, Veronique Vuitton, Thomas Gautier, Lora Jovanovic, Philippe Boduch, Hermann Rothard, Leopold Desage, Alexandre Faure, Bernard Schmitt, Olivier Poch, William M. Grundy, Silvia Protopapa, Sonia Fornasier, Dale P. Cruikshank, S. Alan Stern
Summary: The New Horizons spacecraft conducted a survey on the classical Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) Arrokoth and discovered a small bilobed object with a red surface. This red color is attributed to reddish organic materials, possibly inherited from the protosolar disk or formed through radiolytic processes. Numerical calculations and experimental simulations were carried out to study the radiolytic scenario. It was found that sputtering is mainly controlled by Solar Wind, and the sputtering rate varies depending on the nature of the material.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Richard J. J. Cartwright, David R. R. DeColibus, Julie C. Castillo-Rogez, Chloe B. B. Beddingfield, William M. M. Grundy, Tom A. A. Nordheim
Summary: By analyzing the spectra of Umbriel, we found absorption bands indicating the presence of organic materials, ammonia ice, and NH3-H2O mixtures on its surface, which are spatially associated with geological features. However, some of the candidate constituents do not match Umbriel's spectral properties in other wavelength regions, highlighting the gaps in our understanding of the surface compositions of Uranian moons.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Keith S. Noll, Michael E. Brown, Marc W. Buie, William M. Grundy, Harold F. Levison, Simone Marchi, Catherine B. Olkin, S. Alan Stern, Harold A. Weaver
Summary: This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge of Trojan asteroid satellites and discusses their scientific utility and potential observations.
SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jason D. D. Hofgartner, Bonnie J. J. Buratti, Ross A. A. Beyer, Kimberly Ennico, Will M. M. Grundy, Carly J. A. Howett, Perianne E. E. Johnson, Tod R. R. Lauer, Catherine B. B. Olkin, John R. R. Spencer, S. Alan Stern, Harold A. A. Weaver, Leslie A. A. Young
Summary: The New Horizons encounter with the Pluto system revealed the spatial variability of Pluto's surface, including dark, bright, and intermediate terrains, refractory and volatile ices, and ongoing/recent processes. The albedo of Pluto, which quantifies absorbed solar energy, provides insights into volatile transport and surface processes. The study measured the bolometric albedo of Cthulhu and Sputnik Planitia, finding an increase in albedo with solar incidence angle. A map of Pluto's incidence-angle-average albedo showed the variability and sharpness of albedo at different locations.
PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2023)