Corralling a distant planet with extreme resonant Kuiper belt objects

TL;DR

This paper explores the possibility of a distant planet influencing Kuiper belt objects through resonant orbital relationships, constraining its properties and location based on observed orbital dynamics.

Contribution

It proposes a hypothetical planet with specific orbital parameters that explains the resonant relationships of distant Kuiper belt objects, providing constraints on its orbit and mass.

Findings

Resonant relationships suggest a planet with a 17,117-year orbit.

Orbital geometries constrain the planet's inclination and eccentricity.

The planet's current position can be inferred from orbital dynamics.

Abstract

The four longest period Kuiper belt objects have orbital periods close to integer ratios with each other. A hypothetical planet with orbital period $\sim$17,117 years, semimajor axis $\sim$665 AU, would have N/1 and N/2 period ratios with these four objects. The orbital geometries and dynamics of resonant orbits constrain the orbital plane, the orbital eccentricity and the mass of such a planet, as well as its current location in its orbital path.