Constraining multiple systems with GAIA

Abstract

GAIA will provide observations of some multiple asteroid and dwarf systems. These observations are a way to determine and improve the quantification of dynamical parameters, such as the masses and the gravity fields, in these multiple systems. Here we investigate this problem in the cases of Pluto's and Eugenia's system. We simulate observations reproducing an approximate planning of the GAIA observations for both systems, as well as the New Horizons observations of Pluto. We have developed a numerical model reproducing the specific behavior of multiple asteroid system around the Sun and fit it to the simulated observations using least-square method, giving the uncertainties on the fitted parameters. We found that GAIA will improve significantly the precision of Pluto's and Charon's mass, as well as Petit Prince's orbital elements and Eugenia's polar oblateness.

5 pages, accepted by Planetary and Space Science, Gaia GREAT-SSO-Pise

References in corpus (5)

• Masses of Nix and Hydra
• Main Belt Binary Asteroidal Systems With Circular Mutual Orbits
• A Dynamical Solution of the Triple Asteroid System (45) Eugenia
• Dynamics of asteroids and near-Earth objects from Gaia Astrometry
• The Positions, Colors, and Photometric Variability of Pluto's Small Satellites from HST Observations 2005-2006

Cited by in corpus (2)

• Dynamical Configurations of Celestial Systems Comprised of Multiple Irregular Bodies
• Relative Effect of Inclinations for Moonlets in the Triple Asteroidal Systems