DATA_SET_DESCRIPTION |
Data Set Overview : OVERVIEW This data set is a compilation of published diameters, albedos, and densities for Transneptunian Objects (TNOs) and Centaurs. A total of 181 objects are listed, many with more than one entry. This version covers published values through 31 March 2015. DATA Data were collected from the published literature for TNOs and Centaurs, with many objects having data reported by more than one group. Reported values for Pluto and Charon are limited to those published after 1985. Entries are listed by object permanent number, then by provisional designation, then by year of publication, then alphabetically by author(s). Users are referred to the respective papers regarding details of observations and methodology. TABLES The table 'tno_centaur_diam_alb_dens' lists data for objects with the following columns: * object number, name, and provisional designation; * object heliocentric semimajor axis (AU), eccentricity, and inclination; * object dynamical type; * number of known companions; * MPC-reported absolute magnitude (as of 31 March 2015); * absolute magnitude value used in albedo calculation with error bar; * effective diameter (km) with upper/lower error bars and note code; * primary diameter (km) with upper/lower error bars and note code; * companion diameter (km) with upper/lower error bars and note code; * albedo with upper/lower error bars, note code, and color code; * system mass density (g/cm^3) with upper/lower error bars and note code; * methods used for diameter/albedo determination and density determination; * and reference code. Dynamical type codes are as follows: 1:2 : Neptune 1:2 resonance object, 2:5 : Neptune 2:5 resonance object, 2:7 : Neptune 2:7 resonance object, 3:5 : Neptune 3:5 resonance object, 3:8 : Neptune 3:8 resonance object, 3:10 : Neptune 3:10 resonance object, 4:7 : Neptune 4:7 resonance object, CEN : Centaur, CUB : Cubewano, HAU : Haumea family, NL4 : Neptune trojan, L4 position, PLU : Plutino (: Neptune 2:3 resonance object), SAT : satellite, SDO : scattered disk object, and TNO : other Transneptunian Object. Dynamical types are based on the Minor Planet Center 'Unusual Minor Planet' listings and on classifications by the Deep Ecliptic Survey Team [http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~buie/kbo/desclass.html] (see Elliot et al., 2005). Haumea family members are those listed by Snodgrass et al., 2010. For single objects, effective diameter is the measured diameter and the component diameter columns have null values. For objects with more than one component, effective diameter is the combined effective diameter (where D_eff^2 : D_1^2 + D_2^2 for binaries, etc.) and individual component diameters are provided in the respective columns. In general, albedo and density values are the system averages; if they are specific to a component, they include a note code specifying which component (1, 2, 3, ...) in a separate entry for that component. Separate entries are also provided for additional components after the first two, again with note codes specifying which component (3, 4, ...). Note codes indicate comments on data values as follows (more than one code may apply): 1, 2, 3, ... : component diameter for first, second, third, etc., system component; A : assumed, applies to adopted values used from other publications or to assumed densities used for dynamical determinations of diameter/albedo; D : derived by the compiler from values reported by the respective source; G : greater than; L : less than; Albedo color codes indicate color reported by the source: B : blue, R : red, V : visual, and * : geometric (no color specified). Method codes for diameter/albedo determinations are as follows (more than one code may apply): E : mutual events; I : direct imaging; M : multiple or modified methods (see respective source for details); O : stellar occultation; T : thermal/radiometric observations/modeling; Y : dynamical (based on system mass from orbit determination, observed magnitude, and assumed density; # : cited source reported only system mass, values given here are derived; * : reanalysis of previously published results. Method codes for density determinations are as follows (more than one code may apply): H : hydrodynamic model (based on observed/derived oblateness). M : multiple or modified methods (see respective source for details); Y : dynamical (based on system mass from orbit determination and independently measured diameter); * : reanalysis of previously published results. Reference codes refer to full reference information listed in the 'references' table. This table has columns for reference code and full reference. Regarding uncertainties on measured values, readers are referred to the respective references. Dashes or invalid inputs (usually -9.99) indicate unassigned or unknown values. MODIFICATION HISTORY Differences between the current database version and the previous version (2014) are: * A total of 181 objects/systems are represented, or 3 more than the previous release. * A total of 549 entries are included, or 30 more than the previous release. * Heliocentric orbit semimajor axis, eccentricity, and inclination are updated from the MPC Orbit (MPCORB) Database, and outer solar system dynamical types are supplemented by classifications from the Deep Ecliptic Survey Team. Modifications in successive versions are summarized as follows: * V1.0 (31 March 2013) contained 341 entries representing 125 objects/ systems and included object number, name, and provisional designation; heliocentric semimajor axis, eccentricity, inclination, and dynamical type; number of known companions; absolute magnitude from MPC and as used in albedo calculations; effective diameter and (for binary/ multiple objects) primary and secondary diameters; albedo, system mass density, codes for methods used, and reference codes. * V2.0 (31 March 2014) contained 519 entries representing 178 objects/ systems. * V3.0 (31 March 2015) contains 549 entries representing 181 objects/ systems. JOURNALS USED Cited sources include articles from the following journals: Astronomy and Astrophysics; Astronomical Journal; Astrophysical Journal; Astrophysical Journal Letters; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society; Earth, Moon and Planets; Icarus; Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; Nature; Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific; and Science. Other sources are from conference proceedings, IAUCs, and book contributions. REFERENCES Elliot, J. L., et al., 2005, The Deep Ecliptic Survey: A search for Kuiper belt objects and Centaurs. II. Dynamical classification, the Kuiper belt plane, and the core population, Astron. J., 129:1117-1162. Snodgrass, C., B. Carry, C. Dumas, and O. Hainaut, 2010, Characterisation of candidate members of (136108) Haumea's family, Astron. & Astrophys., 511:A72.
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