TNOs are Cool: A Survey of the Transneptunian Region

摘要: Over one thousand objects have so far been discovered orbiting beyond Neptune. These trans-Neptunian (TNOs) represent the primitive remnants of planetesimal disk from which planets formed and are perhaps analogous to unseen dust parent-bodies in debris disks observed around other main-sequence stars. The dynamical physical properties these bodies provide unique important constraints on formation evolution models Solar System. While architecture this region (also known as Kuiper Belt) is becoming relatively clear, still largely unexplored. In particular, fundamental parameters such size, albedo, density thermal difficult measure. Measurements emission, peaks at far-IR wavelengths, offer best means available determine properties. Spitzer has provided some results, notably revealing a large albedo diversity population, increased sensitivity Herschel its superior wavelength coverage should permit profound advances field. Within our accepted project we propose perform radiometric measurements 139 objects, including 25 multiple systems. When combined with population Neptune (e.g. New Horizons mission Pluto), results will benchmark for understanding disk, extra-solar ones well.