4.5 Article

The Geophysical Environment of (486958) Arrokoth-A Small Kuiper Belt Object Explored by New Horizons

Related references

Note: Only part of the references are listed.
Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

A Near-surface Temperature Model of Arrokoth

Orkan M. Umurhan et al.

Summary: A near-surface thermal model for Arrokoth was developed based on the recent release of its 105 facet model. The model takes into account surface reradiation and predicts different surface temperatures for different regions. The thermal solutions show that Arrokoth's orbitally averaged temperatures vary across different regions, while the thermal reradiation from the surrounding surface is minimal.

PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL (2022)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

High-resolution Search for Kuiper Belt Object Binaries from New Horizons

H. A. Weaver et al.

Summary: Using the New Horizons LOng Range Reconnaissance Imager camera, binary systems were discovered near two Kuiper Belt objects. These findings are significant for studying planetesimal formation models and the characteristics of small celestial bodies.

PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL (2022)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Orbits and Occultation Opportunities of 15 TNOs Observed by New Horizons

Simon B. Porter et al.

Summary: This study presents high-precision orbits for 15 trans-Neptunian objects observed by the New Horizons spacecraft and predicts future opportunities to observe stellar occultations by them. These observations would help in the search for contact-binary TNOs and contribute to the understanding of the size-frequency distribution of the Kuiper Belt.

PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL (2022)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Photometry of Kuiper belt object (486958) Arrokoth from New Horizons LORRI

Jason D. Hofgartner et al.

Summary: On January 1st, 2019, the New Horizons spacecraft flew by the classical Kuiper belt object ArMkoth, analyzing its geometric albedo and presenting maps of its normal reflectance and hemispherical albedo. Arrokoth's properties suggest it is a cold classical Kuiper belt object, with a bilobate shape and consistent reflectance distributions between the two lobes. The average hemispherical albedo of ArMkoth is 0.063 at 610 nm.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Origins of pits and troughs and degradation on a small primitive planetesimal in the Kuiper Belt: high-resolution topography of (486958) Arrokoth (aka 2014 MU69) from New Horizons

Paul Schenk et al.

Summary: The dominant topographic features on Arrokoth are small circular depressions and curvilinear troughs, likely resulting from impact events. The pits are shallower than hypervelocity simple craters on icy moons, indicating a slow but persistent degradation possibly due to micrometeorite bombardment or volatile loss. The scatter in observed pit depths and preservation states suggest a complex long-term evolution of this Kuiper Belt object.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Constraining the final merger of contact binary (486958) Arrokoth with soft-sphere discrete element simulations

J. C. Marohnic et al.

Summary: The study suggests that the formation of the bilobate contact binary object Arrokoth may have required a slow impact speed and grazing angle greater than or equal to 75 degrees, and was most likely created by a gentle contact between two bodies in a close synchronous orbit.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Evolution of MU69 from a binary planetesimal into contact by Kozai-Lidov oscillations and nebular drag

W. Lyra et al.

Summary: The study investigates the formation of the contact binary MU69 in the Solar nebula and its orbital evolution under the influence of gas drag. The model predicts an initial contact binary fraction of about 10% for the cold classicals in the Kuiper belt.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The sublimative evolution of (486958) Arrokoth

Jordan K. Steckloff et al.

Summary: The study found that the surface of Arrokoth is not primordial, with most craters possibly dating from after the sublimative period, but its shape is indeed primordial. The rotation state of Arrokoth was not significantly affected by sublimative torques, and the observed rotation represents its state after formation.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

On the origin & thermal stability of Arrokoth's and Pluto's ices

C. M. Lisse et al.

Summary: This paper discusses the long-term nature of stable majority ices in Kuiper Belt object MU69, finding that HCN, CH3OH, and H2O ices are the most refractory. It predicts future detection of HCN or poly-H2CO based species on MU69's surface. The study also suggests that methanol ice may be ubiquitous in the outer solar system and provides insights into the formation era of MU69 and the origins of icy bodies in the solar system.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Surface potential of a rotating duplex consisting of two conjoined spheres

Anthony R. Dobrovolskis

Summary: This paper examines the complex surface equilibrium patterns of various small Solar System bodies with bilobate shapes, focusing primarily on cohering duplexes. Different types of duplexes exhibit surprisingly intricate patterns of surface equilibria, with up to 14 equilibrium points possible depending on the rotation rate, with particular interest in those located in the neck region.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Dynamical environments of MU69 and similar objects

Guillaume Rollin et al.

Summary: The study examines the long-term dynamics of particles around KBO 2014 MU69 (Arrokoth) and similar contact-binary objects in the Kuiper belt. It investigates the chaotic diffusion of particles inside the Hill sphere of MU69 through stability diagrams and analytical approaches based on the Kepler map theory. The formation and evolution of particle clouds due to chaotic diffusion within the Hill sphere are studied, with estimation of cloud lifetimes.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Sublimation as an effective mechanism for flattened lobes of (486958) Arrokoth

Y. Zhao et al.

Summary: The flyby of Kuiper belt object Arrokoth by New Horizons revealed a bilobed shape with flattened lobes, potentially influenced by volatile outgassing. This shape-changing process may occur soon after the formation of Kuiper belt objects and be reactivated when they dynamically evolve into Centaurs and Jupiter-family comets.

NATURE ASTRONOMY (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Modeling global-scale mass flows on the Lagrangian satellites of Dione and Tethys

Orkan M. Umurhan et al.

Summary: Geomorphological analysis and modeling of the Lagrangian satellites of Dione and Tethys reveal heavily modified surfaces with pronounced crater rim degradation, downslope-oriented chutes, ridges, and mesas. Landform evolution modeling suggests that mass flows have played a significant role in shaping the satellite surfaces, with deep flows exhibiting a Bingham rheology providing the most accurate representation. The preferential location of long mass flows on Helene's leading side suggests the accumulation of exogenous granular ice as a major source of mobile material.

ICARUS (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Arrokoth's necklace

J. Katz et al.

Summary: Fly-by images of (486958) Arrokoth show a bright 'necklace' in the most shaded part of the surface, possibly due to thermally controlled ice deposition. Ammonia and propane play critical roles in the formation of this phenomenon, while surrounding gas facilitates redeposition of molecules onto the surface.

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Some New Results and Perspectives Regarding the Kuiper Belt Object Arrokoth's Remarkable, Bright Neck

S. Alan Stern et al.

Summary: The study summarizes past reported findings and new results regarding the properties of the bright, annular neck exhibited by the small Kuiper Belt Object Arrokoth. New measurements include the area, surface area, reflectivity, and color of the neck, as well as the lack of identifiable craters. Possible origin scenarios for this unique feature are also discussed.

PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL (2021)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Persephone: A Pluto-system Orbiter and Kuiper Belt Explorer

Carly J. A. Howett et al.

Summary: Persephone is a NASA concept mission aimed at answering important scientific questions about the Pluto system and the Kuiper Belt, including whether Pluto has a subsurface ocean. It has a comprehensive payload and a 30.7-year nominal mission duration, with potential for an 8-year extended mission to explore other KBOs. The mission's nominal cost is $3.0 billion, making it a significant strategic science mission.

PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

The geology and geophysics of Kuiper Belt object (486958) Arrokoth

J. R. Spencer et al.

SCIENCE (2020)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Color, composition, and thermal environment of Kuiper Belt object (486958) Arrokoth

W. M. Grundy et al.

SCIENCE (2020)

Review Astronomy & Astrophysics

Large Ocean Worlds with High-Pressure Ices

Baptiste Journaux et al.

SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS (2020)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Highly porous nature of a primitive asteroid revealed by thermal imaging

Tatsuaki Okada et al.

NATURE (2020)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

The wide-binary origin of (2014) MU69-like Kuiper belt contact binaries

Evgeni Grishin et al.

NATURE (2020)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Surface dynamics, equilibrium points and individual lobes of the Kuiper Belt object (486958) Arrokoth

A. Amarante et al.

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (2020)

Article Geography, Physical

Local-scale variability of snow density on Arctic sea ice

Joshua King et al.

CRYOSPHERE (2020)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Size and Shape Constraints of (486958) Arrokoth from Stellar Occultations

Marc W. Buie et al.

ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL (2020)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The Mysterious Location of Maryland on 2014 MU69 and the Reconfiguration of Its Bilobate Shape

Masatoshi Hirabayashi et al.

ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS (2020)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The HST lightcurve of (486958) 2014 MU69

S. D. Benecchi et al.

ICARUS (2019)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The mass and density of the dwarf planet (225088) 2007 OR10

Csaba Kiss et al.

ICARUS (2019)

Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Shape of (101955) Bennu indicative of a rubble pile with internal stiffness

O. S. Barnouin et al.

NATURE GEOSCIENCE (2019)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Close Cassini flybys of Saturn's ring moons Pan, Daphnis, Atlas, Pandora, and Epimetheus

B. J. Buratti et al.

SCIENCE (2019)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Mutual orbit orientations of transneptunian binaries

W. M. Grundy et al.

ICARUS (2019)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Density distribution of asteroid 25143 Itokawa based on smooth terrain shape

Masanori Kanamaru et al.

PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE (2019)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The dynamic geophysical environment of (101955) Bennu based on OSIRIS-REx measurements

D. J. Scheeres et al.

NATURE ASTRONOMY (2019)

Review Multidisciplinary Sciences

Cassini-Huygens' exploration of the Saturn system: 13 years of discovery

Linda Spilker

SCIENCE (2019)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Small body shapes and spins reveal a prevailing state of maximum topographic stability

James E. Richardson et al.

ICARUS (2019)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The Nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko - Part I: The global view - nucleus mass, mass-loss, porosity, and implications

Martin Paetzold et al.

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (2019)

Review Astronomy & Astrophysics

Dynamical Evolution of the Early Solar System

David Nesvorny

ANNUAL REVIEW OF ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS, VOL 56 (2018)

Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Great Expectations: Plans and Predictions for New Horizons Encounter With Kuiper Belt Object 2014 MU69 (Ultima Thule)

Jeffrey M. Moore et al.

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS (2018)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The Ames Stereo Pipeline: NASA's Open Source Software for Deriving and Processing Terrain Data

Ross A. Beyer et al.

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE (2018)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

High-precision Orbit Fitting and Uncertainty Analysis of (486958) 2014 MU69

Simon B. Porter et al.

ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL (2018)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Origin of the Pluto-Charon system: Constraints from the New Horizons flyby

William B. McKinnon et al.

ICARUS (2017)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Mean radius and shape of Pluto and Charon from New Horizons images

Francis Nimmo et al.

ICARUS (2017)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Sublimation as a landform-shaping process on Pluto

Jeffrey M. Moore et al.

ICARUS (2017)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The Density of Mid-sized Kuiper Belt Objects from ALMA Thermal Observations

Michael E. Brown et al.

ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL (2017)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Discovery of a Satellite of the Large Trans-Neptunian Object (225088) 2007 OR10

Csaba Kiss et al.

ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS (2017)

Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

The Coriolis effect on mass wasting during the Rheasilvia impact on asteroid Vesta

K. A. Otto et al.

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS (2016)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Stability of binaries. Part II: Rubble-pile binaries

Ishan Sharma

ICARUS (2016)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The geophysical environment of Bennu

D. J. Scheeres et al.

ICARUS (2016)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

A homogeneous nucleus for comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from its gravity field

M. Paetzold et al.

NATURE (2016)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Stability of binaries. Part 1: Rigid binaries

Ishan Sharma

ICARUS (2015)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The orbits and masses of satellites of Pluto

Marina Brozovic et al.

ICARUS (2015)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Landslides and Mass shedding on spinning spheroidal asteroids

D. J. Scheeres

ICARUS (2015)

Article Geochemistry & Geophysics

The extreme mobility of debris avalanches: A new model of transport mechanism

Helene Perinotto et al.

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH (2015)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The inner small satellites of Saturn: A variety of worlds

P. C. Thomas et al.

ICARUS (2013)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Shape, density, and geology of the nucleus of Comet 103P/Hartley 2

P. C. Thomas et al.

ICARUS (2013)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The nucleus of Comet 9P/Tempel 1: Shape and geology from two flybys

P. Thomas et al.

ICARUS (2013)

Review Astronomy & Astrophysics

The Compositions of Kuiper Belt Objects

Michael E. Brown

ANNUAL REVIEW OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES, VOL 40 (2012)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Shape reconstruction of irregular bodies with multiple complementary data sources

M. Kaasalainen et al.

ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS (2012)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

ASTROMETRIC MASSES OF 26 ASTEROIDS AND OBSERVATIONS ON ASTEROID POROSITY

James Baer et al.

ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL (2011)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

A Pluto-like radius and a high albedo for the dwarf planet Eris from an occultation

B. Sicardy et al.

NATURE (2011)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

EPOXI at Comet Hartley 2

Michael F. A'Hearn et al.

SCIENCE (2011)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

(47171) 1999 TC36, A transneptunian triple

S. D. Benecchi et al.

ICARUS (2010)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Equilibrium figures of inhomogeneous synchronous binary asteroids

P. Descamps

ICARUS (2010)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

THE ORBITS OF THE NEPTUNIAN SATELLITES AND THE ORIENTATION OF THE POLE OF NEPTUNE

R. A. Jacobson

ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL (2009)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

ORBITS AND MASSES OF THE SATELLITES OF THE DWARF PLANET HAUMEA (2003 EL61)

D. Ragozzine et al.

ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL (2009)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The topographic limits of gravitationally bound, rotating sand piles

David A. Minton

ICARUS (2008)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Roche figures of doubly synchronous asteroids

P. Descamps

PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE (2008)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Revised orbits of Saturn's small inner satellites

R. A. Jacobson et al.

ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL (2008)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

The equatorial ridges of Pan and Atlas: Terminal accretionary ornaments?

Sebastien Charnoz et al.

SCIENCE (2007)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Saturn's small inner satellites: Clues to their origins

C. C. Porco et al.

SCIENCE (2007)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Hyperion's sponge-like appearance

P. C. Thomas et al.

NATURE (2007)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The shape, topography, and geology of Tempel 1 from Deep Impact observations

Peter C. Thomas et al.

ICARUS (2007)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Nucleus properties of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 estimated from non-gravitational force modeling

Bjorn J. R. Davidsson et al.

ICARUS (2007)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The gravity field of the Saturnian system from satellite observations and spacecraft tracking data

R. A. Jacobson et al.

ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL (2006)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Cassini Imaging Science: Initial results on Saturn's rings and small satellites

CC Porco et al.

SCIENCE (2005)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Estimating the nucleus density of Comet 19P/Borrelly

BJR Davidsson et al.

ICARUS (2004)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Equilibrium figures of spinning bodies with self-gravity

KA Holsapple

ICARUS (2004)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

Equilibrium configurations of solid cohesionless bodies

KA Holsapple

ICARUS (2001)

Article Astronomy & Astrophysics

The shape of Triton from limb profiles

PC Thomas

ICARUS (2000)