The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects

Robert B. Brown; Scott R. Dahlke

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14

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The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects

Robert B. Brown, Scott R. Dahlke

Published in International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science (Volume 6, Issue 1)

Received: 8 February 2018 Accepted: 1 March 2018 Published: 19 March 2018

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Abstract

Previously several authors have proposed the existence of one or more giant planets beyond Neptune to explain the non-uniform orbital elements for a dozen or fewer trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). However, as shown here, it is not just twelve orbits that are non-randomly distributed. The distribution of the longitudes of ascending node, Ω, for all of the known TNOs with perihelia beyond Neptune is also non-uniform, and this cannot be explained by observational bias. However, simulations show that Ω should become uniformly distributed within just three to five million years due to small perturbations from the known planets. Furthermore, the proposed Planet Nine cannot prevent this randomization. These results indicate it is plausible that TNOs have only been in their present orbits for a few million years or less, and there is no reason for giant, undiscovered planets to exist.

Published in	International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science (Volume 6, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14
Page(s)	38-43
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2018. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Trans-Neptunian Objects, Kuiper Belt, Planet Nine

References

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Robert B. Brown, Scott R. Dahlke. (2018). The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects. International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science, 6(1), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14

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ACS Style

Robert B. Brown; Scott R. Dahlke. The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects. Int. J. Astrophys. Space Sci. 2018, 6(1), 38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14

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AMA Style

Robert B. Brown, Scott R. Dahlke. The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects. Int J Astrophys Space Sci. 2018;6(1):38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14,
  author = {Robert B. Brown and Scott R. Dahlke},
  title = {The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects},
  journal = {International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science},
  volume = {6},
  number = {1},
  pages = {38-43},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijass.20180601.14},
  abstract = {Previously several authors have proposed the existence of one or more giant planets beyond Neptune to explain the non-uniform orbital elements for a dozen or fewer trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). However, as shown here, it is not just twelve orbits that are non-randomly distributed. The distribution of the longitudes of ascending node, Ω, for all of the known TNOs with perihelia beyond Neptune is also non-uniform, and this cannot be explained by observational bias. However, simulations show that Ω should become uniformly distributed within just three to five million years due to small perturbations from the known planets. Furthermore, the proposed Planet Nine cannot prevent this randomization. These results indicate it is plausible that TNOs have only been in their present orbits for a few million years or less, and there is no reason for giant, undiscovered planets to exist.},
 year = {2018}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects
AU  - Robert B. Brown
AU  - Scott R. Dahlke
Y1  - 2018/03/19
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14
T2  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
JF  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
JO  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14
AB  - Previously several authors have proposed the existence of one or more giant planets beyond Neptune to explain the non-uniform orbital elements for a dozen or fewer trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). However, as shown here, it is not just twelve orbits that are non-randomly distributed. The distribution of the longitudes of ascending node, Ω, for all of the known TNOs with perihelia beyond Neptune is also non-uniform, and this cannot be explained by observational bias. However, simulations show that Ω should become uniformly distributed within just three to five million years due to small perturbations from the known planets. Furthermore, the proposed Planet Nine cannot prevent this randomization. These results indicate it is plausible that TNOs have only been in their present orbits for a few million years or less, and there is no reason for giant, undiscovered planets to exist.
VL  - 6
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Robert B. Brown

Department of Astronautics, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, USA
Scott R. Dahlke

Department of Astronautics, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, USA

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APA Style

Robert B. Brown, Scott R. Dahlke. (2018). The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects. International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science, 6(1), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14

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ACS Style

Robert B. Brown; Scott R. Dahlke. The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects. Int. J. Astrophys. Space Sci. 2018, 6(1), 38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14

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AMA Style

Robert B. Brown, Scott R. Dahlke. The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects. Int J Astrophys Space Sci. 2018;6(1):38-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14,
  author = {Robert B. Brown and Scott R. Dahlke},
  title = {The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects},
  journal = {International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science},
  volume = {6},
  number = {1},
  pages = {38-43},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijass.20180601.14},
  abstract = {Previously several authors have proposed the existence of one or more giant planets beyond Neptune to explain the non-uniform orbital elements for a dozen or fewer trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). However, as shown here, it is not just twelve orbits that are non-randomly distributed. The distribution of the longitudes of ascending node, Ω, for all of the known TNOs with perihelia beyond Neptune is also non-uniform, and this cannot be explained by observational bias. However, simulations show that Ω should become uniformly distributed within just three to five million years due to small perturbations from the known planets. Furthermore, the proposed Planet Nine cannot prevent this randomization. These results indicate it is plausible that TNOs have only been in their present orbits for a few million years or less, and there is no reason for giant, undiscovered planets to exist.},
 year = {2018}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Non-Uniform and Dynamic Orbits of Trans-Neptunian Objects
AU  - Robert B. Brown
AU  - Scott R. Dahlke
Y1  - 2018/03/19
PY  - 2018
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14
T2  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
JF  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
JO  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
SP  - 38
EP  - 43
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7022
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20180601.14
AB  - Previously several authors have proposed the existence of one or more giant planets beyond Neptune to explain the non-uniform orbital elements for a dozen or fewer trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). However, as shown here, it is not just twelve orbits that are non-randomly distributed. The distribution of the longitudes of ascending node, Ω, for all of the known TNOs with perihelia beyond Neptune is also non-uniform, and this cannot be explained by observational bias. However, simulations show that Ω should become uniformly distributed within just three to five million years due to small perturbations from the known planets. Furthermore, the proposed Planet Nine cannot prevent this randomization. These results indicate it is plausible that TNOs have only been in their present orbits for a few million years or less, and there is no reason for giant, undiscovered planets to exist.
VL  - 6
IS  - 1
ER  -

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