The Astronomical Journal (Jan 2024)
Beyond Point Masses. II. Non-Keplerian Shape Effects Are Detectable in Several TNO Binaries
- Benjamin C. N. Proudfoot,
- Darin A. Ragozzine,
- Meagan L. Thatcher,
- Will Grundy,
- Dallin J. Spencer,
- Tahina M. Alailima,
- Sawyer Allen,
- Penelope C. Bowden,
- Susanne Byrd,
- Conner D. Camacho,
- Gibson H. Campbell,
- Edison P. Carlisle,
- Jacob A. Christensen,
- Noah K. Christensen,
- Kaelyn Clement,
- Benjamin J. Derieg,
- Mara K. Dille,
- Cristian Dorrett,
- Abigail L. Ellefson,
- Taylor S. Fleming,
- N. J. Freeman,
- Ethan J. Gibson,
- William G. Giforos,
- Jacob A. Guerrette,
- Olivia Haddock,
- S. Ashton Hammond,
- Zachary A. Hampson,
- Joshua D. Hancock,
- Madeline S. Harmer,
- Joseph R. Henderson,
- Chandler R. Jensen,
- David Jensen,
- Ryleigh E. Jensen,
- Joshua S. Jones,
- Cameron C. Kubal,
- Jacob N. Lunt,
- Stephanie Martins,
- McKenna Matheson,
- Dahlia Maxwell,
- Timothy D. Morrell,
- McKenna M. Myckowiak,
- Maia A. Nelsen,
- Spencer T. Neu,
- Giovanna G. Nuccitelli,
- Kayson M. Reardon,
- Austin S. Reid,
- Kenneth G. Richards,
- Megan R. W. Robertson,
- Tanner D. Rydalch,
- Conner B. Scoresby,
- Ryan L. Scott,
- Zacory D. Shakespear,
- Elliot A. Silveira,
- Grace C. Steed,
- Christiana Z. Suggs,
- Garrett D. Suggs,
- Derek M. Tobias,
- Matthew L. Toole,
- McKayla L. Townsend,
- Kade L. Vickers,
- Collin R. Wagner,
- Madeline S. Wright,
- Emma M. A. Zappala
Affiliations
- Benjamin C. N. Proudfoot
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]; Florida Space Institute, University of Central Florida , 12354 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826, USA
- Darin A. Ragozzine
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Meagan L. Thatcher
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Will Grundy
- ORCiD
- Lowell Observatory , Flagstaff, AZ, USA
- Dallin J. Spencer
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Tahina M. Alailima
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Sawyer Allen
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Penelope C. Bowden
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Susanne Byrd
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Conner D. Camacho
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Gibson H. Campbell
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Edison P. Carlisle
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Jacob A. Christensen
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Noah K. Christensen
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Kaelyn Clement
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Benjamin J. Derieg
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Mara K. Dille
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Cristian Dorrett
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Abigail L. Ellefson
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Taylor S. Fleming
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- N. J. Freeman
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Ethan J. Gibson
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- William G. Giforos
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Jacob A. Guerrette
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Olivia Haddock
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- S. Ashton Hammond
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Zachary A. Hampson
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Joshua D. Hancock
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Madeline S. Harmer
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Joseph R. Henderson
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Chandler R. Jensen
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- David Jensen
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Ryleigh E. Jensen
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Joshua S. Jones
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Cameron C. Kubal
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Jacob N. Lunt
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Stephanie Martins
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- McKenna Matheson
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Dahlia Maxwell
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Timothy D. Morrell
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- McKenna M. Myckowiak
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Maia A. Nelsen
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Spencer T. Neu
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Giovanna G. Nuccitelli
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Kayson M. Reardon
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Austin S. Reid
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Kenneth G. Richards
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Megan R. W. Robertson
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Tanner D. Rydalch
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Conner B. Scoresby
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Ryan L. Scott
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Zacory D. Shakespear
- ORCiD
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Elliot A. Silveira
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Grace C. Steed
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Christiana Z. Suggs
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Garrett D. Suggs
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Derek M. Tobias
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Matthew L. Toole
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- McKayla L. Townsend
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Kade L. Vickers
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Collin R. Wagner
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Madeline S. Wright
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- Emma M. A. Zappala
- Brigham Young University Department of Physics & Astronomy , N283 ESC, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA ; [email protected]
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ad26f0
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 167,
no. 4
p. 144
Abstract
About 40 trans-Neptunian binaries (TNBs) have fully determined orbits with about 10 others being solved except for breaking the mirror ambiguity. Despite decades of study, almost all TNBs have only ever been analyzed with a model that assumes perfect Keplerian motion (e.g., two point masses). In reality, all TNB systems are non-Keplerian due to nonspherical shapes, possible presence of undetected system components, and/or solar perturbations. In this work, we focus on identifying candidates for detectable non-Keplerian motion based on sample of 45 well-characterized binaries. We use MultiMoon , a non-Keplerian Bayesian inference tool, to analyze published relative astrometry allowing for nonspherical shapes of each TNB system’s primary. We first reproduce the results of previous Keplerian fitting efforts with MultiMoon , which serves as a comparison for the non-Keplerian fits and confirms that these fits are not biased by the assumption of a Keplerian orbit. We unambiguously detect non-Keplerian motion in eight TNB systems across a range of primary radii, mutual orbit separations, and system masses. As a proof of concept for non-Keplerian fitting, we perform detailed fits for (66652) Borasisi-Pabu, possibly revealing a J _2 ≈ 0.44, implying Borasisi (and/or Pabu) may be a contact binary or an unresolved compact binary. However, full confirmation of this result will require new observations. This work begins the next generation of TNB analyses that go beyond the point mass assumption to provide unique and valuable information on the physical properties of TNBs with implications for their formation and evolution.
Keywords
