Analysis of trans-Neptunian objects and a proposed theory to explain their origin

Brown, Robert B. K.; Firth, Jordan

doi:10.1093/mnras/stv2818

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Clearly, we are dealing with small-number statistics. However, as pointed out elsewhere (Brown & Firth 2016;Batygin & Brown 2016), it is unlikely that the observed clustering is purely due to chance. Assuming the ω, Ω, and L of ETNOs are uniformly distributed, the circulation of these angles is ensured by the perturbations from the giant planets, the probability of the observed clustering in ω, Ω, and L, beyond a = 250 au level, is 0.1%, 3.0%, and 5.0%, respectively.…”

Section: More On Datamentioning

confidence: 71%

“…The probability is given as a frequency of sets for which σ 2 i is smaller than the circular variance of the observational data. Brown & Firth (2016) plotted the distribution of ω for the whole known TNOs population (taking the data from the JPL small body database) and for a subset of TNOs that might not be in mean motion resonances with Neptune. These authors found that the distribution of ω is well modelled, especially in the latter case, by overlapping normal distributions, peaking at 0 (360) and 180 deg, with standard deviations of 60 deg.…”

Section: More On Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Towards an explanation of orbits in the extreme trans-Neptunian region: The effect of Milgromian dynamics

Paučo

2017

A&A

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Context. Milgromian dynamics (MD or MOND) uniquely predicts motion in a galaxy from the distribution of its stars and gas in a remarkable agreement with observations so far. In the solar system, MD predicts the existence of some possibly non-negligible dynamical effects, which can be used to constrain the freedom in MD theories. Known extreme trans-Neptunian objects (ETNOs) have their argument of perihelion, longitude of ascending node, and inclination distributed in highly non-uniform fashion; ETNOs are bodies with perihelion distances greater than the orbit of Neptune and with semimajor axes greater than 150 au and less than ∼ 1500 au. It is as if these bodies have been systematically perturbed by some external force. Aims. We investigated a hypothesis that the puzzling orbital characteristics of ETNOs are a consequence of MD. Methods. We set up a dynamical model of the solar system incorporating the external field effect (EFE), which is anticipated to be the dominant effect of MD in the ETNOs region. We used constraints available on the strength of EFE coming from radio tracking of the Cassini spacecraft. We performed several numerical experiments, concentrating on the long-term orbital evolution of primordial (randomised) ETNOs in MD. Results. The EFE could produce distinct non-uniform distributions of the orbital elements of ETNOs that are related to the orientation of an orbit in space. If we demand that EFE is solely responsible for the detachment of Sedna and 2012 VP 113 , then these distributions are at odds with the currently observed statistics on ETNOs unless the EFE quadrupole strength parameter Q 2 has values that are unlikely (with probability < 1%) in light of the Cassini data.

show abstract

Section: More On Datamentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: More On Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards an explanation of orbits in the extreme trans-Neptunian region: The effect of Milgromian dynamics

Paučo

2017

A&A

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…More recent studies noted that the longitudes of ascending node, Ω, for these TNOs with very long periods are also not uniformly distributed [7,8]. Batygin and M. Brown studied the six most stable TNO orbits in this range and showed they all have longitudes of ascending node between 100° and 126° [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects

Brown¹

2018

IJASS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Previously several authors have proposed the existence of one or more giant planets beyond Neptune to explain the non-uniform orbital elements for a dozen or fewer trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). However, as shown here, it is not just twelve orbits that are non-randomly distributed. The distribution of the longitudes of ascending node, Ω, for all of the known TNOs with perihelia beyond Neptune is also non-uniform, and this cannot be explained by observational bias. However, simulations show that Ω should become uniformly distributed within just three to five million years due to small perturbations from the known planets. Furthermore, the proposed Planet Nine cannot prevent this randomization. These results indicate it is plausible that TNOs have only been in their present orbits for a few million years or less, and there is no reason for giant, undiscovered planets to exist.

show abstract

“…A number of plausible explanations have been suggested. These include the possible existence of one (Trujillo & Sheppard 2014;Gomes et al 2015;Malhotra et al 2016) or more (de la Fuente Marcos & de la Fuente Marcos 2014, 2016bde la Fuente Marcos et al 2015, 2016 trans-Plutonian planets, capture of ETNOs within the Sun's natal open cluster (Jílková et al 2015), stellar encounters (Brasser & Schwamb 2015;Feng & Bailer-Jones 2015), being a by-product of Neptune's migration (Brown & Firth 2016) or the result of the inclination instability (Madigan & McCourt 2016), and having been induced by Milgromian dynamics (Paučo & Klačka 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finding Planet Nine: apsidal anti-alignment Monte Carlo results

Marcos¹,

Marcos²

2016

Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The distribution of the orbital elements of the known extreme trans-Neptunian objects or ETNOs has been found to be statistically incompatible with that of an unperturbed asteroid population following heliocentric or, better, barycentric orbits. Such trends, if confirmed by future discoveries of ETNOs, strongly suggest that one or more massive perturbers could be located well beyond Pluto. Within the trans-Plutonian planets paradigm, the Planet Nine hypothesis has received much attention as a robust scenario to explain the observed clustering in physical space of the perihelia of seven ETNOs which also exhibit clustering in orbital pole position. Here, we revisit the subject of clustering in perihelia and poles of the known ETNOs using barycentric orbits, and study the visibility of the latest incarnation of the orbit of Planet Nine applying Monte Carlo techniques and focusing on the effects of the apsidal anti-alignment constraint. We provide visibility maps indicating the most likely location of this putative planet if it is near aphelion. We also show that the available data suggest that at least two massive perturbers are present beyond Pluto.

show abstract

Analysis of trans-Neptunian objects and a proposed theory to explain their origin

Cited by 8 publications

References 29 publications

Towards an explanation of orbits in the extreme trans-Neptunian region: The effect of Milgromian dynamics

Towards an explanation of orbits in the extreme trans-Neptunian region: The effect of Milgromian dynamics

The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects

Finding Planet Nine: apsidal anti-alignment Monte Carlo results

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About