D. Ragozzine and M. E. Brown 2007 The Astronomical Journal 134 2160 doi:10.1086/522334
D. Ragozzine1 and M. E. Brown1
Show affiliationsThe collisional family of Kuiper Belt object (KBO) 2003 EL61 opens the possibility for many interesting new studies of processes important in the formation and evolution of the outer solar system. As the first family in the Kuiper Belt, it can be studied using techniques developed for studying asteroid families, although some modifications are necessary. Applying these modified techniques allows for a dynamical study of the 2003 EL61 family. The velocity required to change orbits is used to quantitatively identify objects near the collision. A method for identifying family members that have potentially diffused in resonances (like 2003 EL61) is also developed. Known family members are among the very closest KBOs to the collision and two new likely family members are identified: 2003 UZ117 and 1999 OY3. We also give tables of candidate family members that require future observations to confirm membership. We estimate that a minimum of ~1 Gyr is needed for resonance diffusion to produce the current position of 2003 EL61, implying that the family is likely primordial. Future refinement of the age estimate is possible once (many) more resonant objects are identified. The ancient nature of the collision contrasts with the seemingly fresh surfaces of known family members, suggesting that our understanding of outer solar system surfaces is incomplete.
comets: general; Kuiper Belt; minor planets, asteroids; solar system: formation
Issue 6 (2007 December)
Received 2007 April 19, accepted for publication 2007 August 10
Published 2007 October 18
D. Ragozzine and M. E. Brown 2007 The Astronomical Journal 134 2160
F. Vazquez and S. Redner 2007 EPL 78 18002
P. J. Groot et al 2001 ApJ 558 L123
M. Jura et al 2000 ApJ 528 L105
G. Bryden et al. 2006 ApJ 646 1038
Francesco Piazza and Yves-Henri Sanejouand 2008 Phys. Biol. 5 026001
Marshall L. McCall 2004 The Astronomical Journal 128 2144
Matthew D Wood and Rebecca Kuntz Willits 2009 J. Neural Eng. 6 046003
Tanmay Bera et al 2008 Biomed. Mater. 3 025001
Grant M. Kennedy et al 2006 ApJ 650 L139