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Trans-Neptunian Objects Transiently Stuck in Neptune’s Mean-motion Resonances: Numerical Simulations of the Current Population

Yu, Tze Yeung Mathew et al. (2018)

Published
Jun 29, 2018
Journal
The Astronomical Journal · Vol. 156 · No. 1
DOI
10.3847/1538-3881/aac6cd

At a GlanceAI

Predicts how many scattering TNOs are transiently stuck in each of 111 Neptunian resonances out to 100 au.

SummaryAI

Starting from an observationally constrained model of today's scattering TNOs, the authors simulate transient capture into 111 resonances between 30 and 100 au. Transiently stuck objects make up about 40% of the combined stuck-plus-scattering population, so the two should be treated together. Relative populations scale roughly with each resonance's libration period, and sticking matters more at larger distances. The 5:2 resonance stands out: its observed population and libration amplitudes cannot come mainly from present-day sticking, which challenges leading models of Kuiper Belt sculpting.

Method SnapshotAI

Numerical simulations of an observationally constrained scattering population.

BackgroundAI

Mean-motion resonances, libration amplitude, resonance sticking.