Pioneer anomaly? Gravitational pull due to the Kuiper belt

Abstract

In this work we study the gravitational influence of the material extending from Uranus orbit to the Kuiper belt and beyond on objects moving within these regions. We conclude that a density distribution given by $\rho (r)=\frac{1}{r}$ (for $r\ge 20UA$) generates a constant acceleration towards the Sun on those objects, which, with the proper amount of mass, accounts for the blue shift detected on the Pioneers space crafts. We also discuss the effect of this gravitational pull on Neptune, and comment on the possible origin of such a matter distribution.

5 figures, final version, accepted for publication at Int. J. of Mod. Phys. D

References in corpus (6)

• First Year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) Observations: Determination of Cosmological Parameters
• A Universal Density Profile from Hierarchical Clustering
• Study of the anomalous acceleration of Pioneer 10 and 11
• The Pioneer anomaly in the context of the braneworld scenario
• The Pioneer anomaly as acceleration of the clocks
• Supersymmetry and Cosmology

Cited by in corpus (6)

• The Pioneer Anomaly
• Dynamical determination of the Kuiper Belt's mass from motions of the inner planets of the Solar System
• On the influence of the global cosmological expansion on the local dynamics in the Solar System
• Orbital perturbations due to massive rings
• Does the Neptunian system of satellites challenge a gravitational origin for the Pioneer anomaly?
• The Variable-c Cosmology as a Solution to Pioneer Anomaly