Observational Constraints on Planet Nine: Astrometry of Pluto and Other Trans-neptunian Objects
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT We use astrometry of Pluto and other trans-neptunian objects to constrain the sky location, distance, and mass of the possible additional planet (Planet Nine) hypothesized by Batygin & Brown. We find that over broad regions of the sky, the inclusion of a massive, distant planet degrades the fits to the observations. However, in other regions, the fits are significantly improved by the addition of such a planet. Our best fits suggest a planet that is either more massive or closer than argued for by Batygin & Brown based on the orbital distribution of distant trans-neptunian objects (or by Fienga et al. based on range measured to the Cassini spacecraft). The trend to favor larger and closer perturbing planets is driven by the residuals to the astrometry of Pluto, remeasured from photographic plates using modern stellar catalogs, which show a clear trend in decl. over the course of two decades, that drive a preference for large perturbations. Although this trend may be the result of systematic errors of unknown origin in the observations, a possible resolution is that the decl. trend may be due to perturbations from a body, in addition to Planet Nine, that is closer to Pluto but less massive than Planet Nine.
Source: The Astronomical Journal
Authors: Matthew J. Holman, Matthew J. Payne
Institution: Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian
Language: English
Topic: Astro and Planetary Science
Subfield: Space and Planetary Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: SCIENCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES THE OCCULTATION METHOD IS THE ONLY PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE FOR MEASURING THE SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF S, THE SOLAR SYSTEM EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE ORBITS OF THE MAJOR PLANETS. IT EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE KNOWN KUIPER BELT AND THE EXCITING RECENTLY DISCOVERE
OpenAlex ID: W2317010023