On The Characteristics And Evolution Of Dynamically Excited Trans Neptunian Objects

The small-body populations of the distant Solar System inform our understanding of the structure, formation, and evolution of the Solar System. The orbits of these Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) act as tracers for dynamical activities either ongoing or past. The distributions of TNO sizes are set by, and so probe, the conditions of the formation and evolution of the Solar System. Using data from surveys on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, I constrain the size distribution of a TNO subpopulation: the scattering TNOs. The scattering TNOs are chosen as they have orbits that come in closer to the Sun, therefore allowing smaller TNOs to be detected. The characteristics of size distribution for the small-sized TNOs is an important, and only recently observable, constraint on the formation of this population. I find that the H-distribution is consistent with models where TNOs form as large (50 km - 100 km) aggregates from the proto-planetary nebula. A recent discovery of apparent clustering in the orbits of some TNOs has led to the hypothesis of an additional and unseen planet in the distant Solar System. I examine the formation implications and consequences of such a planet, and the biases in the detected sample used to infer the planet's existence. Via a combination of dynamical simulations, survey simulations, and statistical comparisons of the observed TNOs, I explore the additional planet hypothesis to determine if there exists strong evidence for an additional planet in our Solar System. I find that there is currently no strong evidence for the clustering of orbits in the observed sample and that the proposed additional planet does not produce such a signature in models.

Proceedings of IAU Symposium 229 on minor bodies of the solar system, for researchers and graduate students of planetary sciences.

The Trans-Neptunian Solar System is a timely reference highlighting the state-of-the-art in current knowledge on the outer solar system. It not only explores the individual objects being discovered there, but also their relationships with other Solar System objects and their roles in the formation and evolution of the Solar System and other planets. Integrating important findings from recent missions, such as New Horizons and Rosetta, the book covers the physical properties of the bodies in the Trans-Neptunian Region, including Pluto and other large members of the Kuiper Belt, as well as dynamical indicators for Planet 9 and related objects and future prospects. Offering a complete look at exploration and findings in the Kuiper Belt and the rest of the outer solar system beyond Neptune, this book is an important resource to bring planetary scientists, space scientists and astrophysicists up-to-date on the latest research and current understandings. Provides the most up-to-date information on the exploration of the Trans-Neptunian Solar System and what it means for the future of outer solar system research Contains clear sections that provide comprehensive coverage on the most important facets of the outer Solar System Includes four-color images and data from important missions, including New Horizons and Rosetta Concludes with suggestions and insights on the future of research on Trans-Neptunian objects

Publisher Description

A new frontier in our solar system opened with the discovery of the Kuiper Belt and the extensive population of icy bodies orbiting beyond Neptune. Today the study of all of these bodies, collectively referred to as trans-Neptunian objects, reveals them to be frozen time capsules from the earliest epochs of solar system formation. This new volume in the Space Science Series, with one hundred contributing authors, offers the most detailed and up-to-date picture of our solar systemÕs farthest frontier. Our understanding of trans-Neptunian objects is rapidly evolving and currently constitutes one of the most active research fields in planetary sciences. The Solar System Beyond Neptune brings the reader to the forefront of our current understanding and points the way to further advancement in the field, making it an indispensable resource for researchers and students in planetary science.

A detailed overview of Saturn's formation, evolution and structure written by eminent planetary scientists involved in the Cassini Orbiter mission.

" ... Concise explanations and descriptions - easily read and readily understood - of what we know of the chain of events and processes that connect the Sun to the Earth, with special emphasis on space weather and Sun-Climate."--Dear Reader.

As this excellent book demonstrates, the study of comets has now reached the fas cinating stage where we understand comets in general simple tenns while, at the same time, we are uncertain about practically all the details of cometary nature, structure, processes, and origin. In every aspect, even including dynamics, a choice among several or many competing theories is made impossible simply by the lack of detailed knowledge. The space missions, snapshot studies of two comets, partic ularly the one that immortalizes the name of Sir Edmund Halley, have produced a huge mass of valuable new infonnation and a number of surprises. Nonetheless, we face the tantalizing realization that we have obtained only a fleeting glance at two of perhaps a hundred billion (lOll) or more comets with possibly differing natures, origins, and physical histories. To my personal satisfaction, comets seem to have discrete nuclei made up of dirty snowballs, as I concluded four decades ago, but perhaps they are more like frozen rubbish piles.

Big Data in Radio Astronomy: Scientific Data Processing for Advanced Radio Telescopes provides the latest research developments in big data methods and techniques for radio astronomy. Providing examples from such projects as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the world’s largest radio telescope that generates over an Exabyte of data every day, the book offers solutions for coping with the challenges and opportunities presented by the exponential growth of astronomical data. Presenting state-of-the-art results and research, this book is a timely reference for both practitioners and researchers working in radio astronomy, as well as students looking for a basic understanding of big data in astronomy. Bridges the gap between radio astronomy and computer science Includes coverage of the observation lifecycle as well as data collection, processing and analysis Presents state-of-the-art research and techniques in big data related to radio astronomy Utilizes real-world examples, such as Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST)