Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Previous trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) discovery surveys targeted the ecliptic plane, where the overall highest density is seen. High-inclination objects spend little time near the plane, and are thus under-represented in previous TNO surveys. The Large inclination Distant Objects (LiDO) survey targets these high-inclination populations in 34 sq$.$deg., located in two blocks 14-21 degrees north and south of the ecliptic plane, finding 148 objects, all with i>14 degrees due to survey design. A careful characterization of detection efficiency and other survey parameters results in a "characterized sample" of 125 objects detected within the survey's magnitude and rate limits, thus suitable for model comparison via survey simulations. LiDO detected 62 TNOs classified as resonant, including 21 Plutinos, of which 12 are securely Kozai resonators (always coming to pericenter off-ecliptic), as well as 9 objects in the 5:2 resonance, and several mixed mode inclination-eccentricity resonators. No objects beyond 63 au were detected, despite sensitivity to objects as far as 150 au. We found that the i>14 degree orbital distribution of the previous model from OSSOS was rejectable with the inclusion of the 38 characterized hot classical TNOs from LiDO. We constructed a proof-of-concept orbital distribution model of hot classical TNOs based on long-term stability sculpting, which is statistically acceptable for the LiDO and OSSOS samples, while producing population estimates (21,000$^{+3000}_{-3000}$ hot classicals with H_r<8.3) consistent with OSSOS estimates. The discovery of 125 characterized mid-to-high inclination objects in a variety of orbital classifications provides useful constraints for population modeling and the migration history of the Solar System.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Alexandersen, Mike, Pike, Rosemary E., Chen, Ying-Tung, Lawler, Samantha M., Comte, Mark, Peltier, Lowell, Kavelaars, J. J., Volk, Kathryn, Semenchuck, Cameron, Collyer, Cameron, Draper, Jaidyn, Gwyn, Stephen, Ruiz, Hermosillo, Holman, Matthew J., Kianpoor, Katrina, Morgan, Cameron J., Murray-Clay, Ruth, Pond, Jonathan, Proudfoot, Benjamin, Rabaa, AbdulRahman, Ragozzine, Darin, Rieger, Emily, Yadkoo, Mriana
Institutions: Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian, Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Academia Sinica, Campion College, University of Central Florida, Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, National Research Council Canada, University of California, Santa Cruz, Johns Hopkins University, Brigham Young University
Language: English
Topic: Astro and Planetary Science
Subfield: Space and Planetary Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, Canarie, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia, Inovações e Comunicações, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, Alliance de recherche numérique du Canada, Canadian Space Agency, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
OpenAlex ID: W7222333871