Libration of Pluto's argument of perihelion and the role of the major planets

Abstract

Pluto's argument of perihelion is known to librate around $90^{\circ }$. This libration is related to the secular phenomenon known as the von Zeipel-Lidov-Kozai (vZLK) oscillation. In this work, we make a quantitative assessment of the influence of Neptune's mean motion resonance and of the other giant planets' secular perturbations on the libration of Pluto's argument of perihelion. Here, a parameter $k^2=(1-e^2){\cos }^{2}I$ is the key where $e$ is eccentricity and $I$ is inclination. When $k^2$ of a Pluto-like object is larger than a certain critical value, libration of its argument of perihelion would not occur. The secular effect of other disturbing planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus) plays a significant role in determining the critical $k^2$. The non-zero oscillation amplitude of the critical resonant argument also plays a role, although not a dominant one.

47 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy. This manuscript is the fifth submitted version

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