What is a trans-Neptunian object?
A trans-Neptunian object ( TNO) is any object in the solar system that orbits the sun at a greater distance on average than Neptune. The Kuiper belt, Scattered disk, and Oort cloud are names for three divisions of this volume of space. The orbit of each of the planets is affected by the gravitational influences of all the other planets.
What is a trans-Neptunian resonance?
In astronomy, a resonant trans-Neptunian object is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) in mean-motion orbital resonance with Neptune. The orbital periods of the resonant objects are in a simple integer relations with the period of Neptune e.g. 1:2, 2:3 etc.
Why is Neptune’s orbit so chaotic?
Detailed analytical and numerical studies of Neptune’s resonances have shown that the objects must have a relatively precise range of energies. If the object’s semi-major axis is outside these narrow ranges, the orbit becomes chaotic, with widely changing orbital elements.
What are trans-Neptunian satellites made of?
More than 80 satellites have been discovered in orbit of trans-Neptunian objects. TNOs vary in color and are either grey-blue (BB) or very red (RR). They are thought to be composed of mixtures of rock, amorphous carbon and volatile ices such as water and methane, coated with tholins and other organic compounds.
How many trans-Neptunian planets are there?
Trans-Neptunian object. As of October 2018, the catalog of minor planets contains 528 numbered and more than 2,000 unnumbered TNOs. The first trans-Neptunian object to be discovered was Pluto in 1930. It took until 1992 to discover a second trans-Neptunian object orbiting the Sun directly, 15760 Albion.
What color are Transneptunians?
Colours of the Transneptunians. Like centaurs, TNO display a wide range of colors from blue-grey to very red but unlike the centaurs, clearly re-grouped into two classes, the distribution appears to be uniform.