(47171) 1999 TC36, A Transneptunian Triple

Abstract

We present new analysis of HST images of (47171) 1999 TC36 that confirm it as a triple system. Fits to the point-spread function consistently show that the apparent primary is itself composed of two similar-sized components. The two central components, A1 and A2, can be consistently identified in each of nine epochs spread over seven years of time. In each instance the component separation, ranging from 0.023+/-0.002 to 0.031+/-0.003 arcsec, is roughly one half of the Hubble Space Telescope's diffraction limit at 606 nm. The orbit of the central pair has a semi-major axis of a~867 km with a period of P~1.9 days. These orbital parameters yield a system mass that is consistent with Msys = 12.75+/-0.06 10^18 kg derived from the orbit of the more distant secondary, component B. The diameters of the three components are dA1= 286(+45,-38) km, dA2= 265(+41,-35 km and dB= 139(+22,-18) km. The relative sizes of these components are more similar than in any other known multiple in the solar system. Taken together, the diameters and system mass yield a bulk density of p=542(+317,-211) kg m^-3. HST Photometry shows that component B is variable with an amplitude of >=0.17+/-0.05 magnitudes. Components A1 and A2 do not show variability larger than 0.08+/-0.03 magnitudes approximately consistent with the orientation of the mutual orbit plane and tidally-distorted equilibrium shapes. The system has high specific angular momentum of J/J'=0.93, comparable to most of the known Transneptunian binaries.

16 pages, 8 figures, 6 tables. Accepted to Icarus

References in corpus (18)

• Orbits and Masses of the Satellites of the Dwarf Planet Haumea = 2003 EL61
• The Diverse Solar Phase Curves of Distant Icy Bodies. Part I: Photometric Observations of 18 Trans-Neptunian Objects, 7 Centaurs, and Nereid
• The Correlated Colors of Transneptunian Binaries
• Physical Properties of Kuiper Belt and Centaur Objects: Constraints from Spitzer Space Telescope
• Formation of Kuiper-belt binaries through multiple chaotic scattering encounters with low-mass intruders
• Eclipsing Binary Trojan Asteroid Patroclus: Thermal Inertia from Spitzer Observations
• Masses of Nix and Hydra
• Candidate Members and Age Estimate of the Family of Kuiper Belt Object 2003 EL61
• The orbit, mass, size, albedo, and density of (65489) Ceto/Phorcys: A tidally-evolved binary Centaur
• (42355) Typhon-Echidna: Scheduling Observations for Binary Orbit Determination
• On a Scattered-Disk Origin for the 2003 El61 Collisional Family - an Example of the Importance of Collisions on the Dynamics of Small Bodies
• Mutual Orbits and Masses of Six Transneptunian Binaries
• The Creation of Haumea's Collisional Family
• Formation of Kuiper Belt Binaries
• The Albedo, Size, and Density of Binary Kuiper Belt Object (47171) 1999 TC36
• Production of trans-Neptunian binaries through chaos-assisted capture
• Binaries in the Kuiper Belt
• The Positions, Colors, and Photometric Variability of Pluto's Small Satellites from HST Observations 2005-2006

Cited by in corpus (26)

• Formation of Kuiper Belt Binaries by Gravitational Collapse
• "TNOs are Cool": A survey of the trans-Neptunian region X. Analysis of classical Kuiper belt objects from Herschel and Spitzer observations
• The Compositions of Kuiper Belt Objects
• The solar nebula origin of (486958) Arrokoth, a primordial contact binary in the Kuiper belt
• TNOs are Cool: A survey of the trans-Neptunian region V. Physical characterization of 18 Plutinos using Herschel PACS observations
• All planetesimals born near the Kuiper Belt formed as binaries
• The density of mid-sized Kuiper belt object 2002 UX25 and the formation of the dwarf planets
• Orbits of Near-Earth Asteroid Triples 2001 SN263 and 1994 CC: Properties, Origin, and Evolution
• Orbital properties of binary minor planets
• The thermal emission of Centaurs and Trans-Neptunian objects at millimeter wavelengths from ALMA observations
• Rotational properties of the binary and non-binary populations in the Trans-Neptunian belt
• The Mutual Orbit, Mass, and Density of the Large Transneptunian Binary System Varda and Ilmarë
• Equilibrium Points and Periodic Orbits in the Vicinity of Asteroids with an Application to 216 Kleopatra
• Mutual Events in the Cold Classical Transneptunian Binary System Sila and Nunam
• Using Kuiper Belt Binaries to Constrain Neptune's Migration History
• Dynamical Configurations of Celestial Systems Comprised of Multiple Irregular Bodies
• Investigating Gravitational Collapse of a Pebble Cloud to form Transneptunian Binaries
• Orbits, masses, and evolution of main belt triple (87) Sylvia
• Chaotic dynamics in the (47171) Lempo triple system
• Beyond Point Masses. II. Non-Keplerian Shape Effects are Detectable in Several TNO Binaries
• JWST observations of stellar occultations by solar system bodies and rings
• Great Expectations: Plans and Predictions for New Horizons Encounter with Kuiper Belt Object 2014 MU69 ('Ultima Thule')
• The Hill Stability of Triple Minor Planets in the Solar System
• Limits on the number of primordial Scattered Disk objects at Pluto mass and higher from the absence of their dynamical signatures on the present day trans-Neptunian Populations
• A Deep Search for Additional Satellites around the Dwarf Planet Haumea
• Relative Effect of Inclinations for Moonlets in the Triple Asteroidal Systems