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

TL;DR

This paper outlines the plans, expected observations, and scientific goals for the New Horizons spacecraft's 2019 encounter with Kuiper Belt Object 2014 MU69 ('Ultima Thule'), aiming to study its properties and environment.

Contribution

It provides a detailed preview of the encounter plans, scientific objectives, and expected capabilities for studying Ultima Thule, a primitive Kuiper Belt object.

Findings

Anticipated detailed characterization of Ultima's surface and composition.

Expected insights into Kuiper Belt object geology and environment.

Preparations for detecting moons, rings, or activity around Ultima.

Abstract

The New Horizons encounter with the cold classical Kuiper Belt object (KBO) 2014 MU69 (informally named 'Ultima Thule,' hereafter Ultima) on 1 January 2019 will be the first time a spacecraft has ever closely observed one of the free-orbiting small denizens of the Kuiper Belt. Related to but not thought to have formed in the same region of the Solar System as the comets that been explored so far, it will also be the largest, most distant, and most primitive body yet visited by spacecraft. In this letter we begin with a brief overview of cold classical KBOs, of which Ultima is a prime example. We give a short preview of our encounter plans. We note what is currently known about Ultima from earth-based observations. We then review our expectations and capabilities to evaluate Ultima's composition, surface geology, structure, near space environment, small moons, rings, and the search for activity.