Transcript ngao_ssc_tno_slide.ppt

Trans-Neptunian Object satellite systems
NGAO simulations
Hypothetical 3rd moon,
75 km diameter.
Keck 2 LGS-AO
2003 EL61: A Charon-sized (~1500 km) TNO with 2
satellites in non-coplanar orbits (Brown et al. 2006).
2003 EL61
at 51 AU
• Most large TNOs may have multi-satellite
systems, which record their formation and/or
collisional history.
• An NGAO survey of large TNOs would find all
satellites >100 km diameter out to 100 AU.
Identical system at 100
AU, observed using an
off-axis V=16.5 NGS.