Surface composition and dynamical evolution of two retrograde objects in the outer solar system: 2008 YB3 and 2005 VD

TL;DR

This study analyzes the surface composition and dynamical history of two retrograde trans-Neptunian objects, revealing their likely origins and surface processing history through observational data and long-term orbital simulations.

Contribution

It provides new observational data and dynamical analysis of 2008 YB3 and 2005 VD, linking their surface properties to their dynamical evolution and possible origins.

Findings

2005 VD likely originated from the Oort cloud.

2008 YB3 probably formed in the trans-Neptunian region.

2005 VD shows signs of more extensive surface processing.

Abstract

Most of the objects in the trans-Neptunian belt (TNb) and related populations move in prograde orbits with low eccentricity and inclination. However, the list of icy minor bodies moving in orbits with an inclination above 40 deg. has increased in recent years. The origin of these bodies, and in particular of those objects in retrograde orbits, is not well determined, and different scenarios are considered. In this paper, we present new observational and dynamical data of two objects in retrograde orbits, 2008 YB3 and 2005 VD. We find that the surface of these extreme objects is depleted of ices and does not contain the 'ultra-red' matter typical of some Centaurs. Despite small differences, these objects share common colors and spectral characteristics with the Trojans, comet nuclei, and the group of grey Centaurs. All of these populations are supposed to be covered by a mantle of dust responsible for their reddish- to neutral-color. To investigate if the surface properties and dynamical evolution of these bodies are related, we integrate their orbits for 10^(8) years to the past. We find a remarkable difference in their dynamical evolutions: 2005 VD' s evolution is dominated by a Kozai resonance with planet Jupiter while that of 2008 YB3 is dominated by close encounters with planets Jupiter and Saturn. Our models suggest that the immediate site of provenance of 2005 VD is the in the Oort cloud, whereas for 2008 YB3 it is in the trans-Neptunian region. Additionally, the study of their residence time shows that 2005 VD has spent a larger lapse of time moving in orbits in the region of the giant planets than 2008 YB3. Together with the small differences in color between these two objects, with 2005 VD being more neutral than 2008 YB3, this fact suggests that the surface of 2005 VD has suffered a higher degree of processing, probably related to cometary activity episodes.