Stellar Occultations by Transneptunian objects: from Predictions to Observations and Prospects for the Future
J.L. Ortiz (1), B. Sicardy (2), J.I.B. Camargo (3,4), P. Santos-Sanz, (1), F. Braga-Ribas (5,3,4) ((1) Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia-CSIC,, Glorieta de la Astronomia sn, Spain (2) LESIA, Observatoire de Paris,, Universit\'e PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Universit\'e

TL;DR
Stellar occultations are a valuable method for studying Transneptunian Objects, providing detailed physical properties, with recent successes driven by international collaboration despite prediction and observation challenges.
Contribution
This paper reviews the process and lessons learned in predicting and observing stellar occultations by TNOs, highlighting recent observational achievements and future prospects.
Findings
43 occultations by 22 TNOs detected since 2009
Multichord occultations occur at about 3 per year
Most occultations are single-chord, limiting size and shape constraints
Abstract
In terms of scientific output, the best way to study solar system bodies is sending spacecraft to make in-situ measurements or to observe at close distance. Probably, the second best means to learn about important physical properties of solar system objects is through stellar occultations. By combining occultation observations from several sites, size and shape can be derived with kilometric accuracy. Also, atmospheric properties can be derived if the body has an atmosphere. Furthermore, the technique can detect rings and even satellites (although rarely) around the main body. Except for the very special cases of Pluto and Charon, stellar occultations by Transneptunian Objects (TNOs) had never been observed until October 2009. This was because the ephemeris of the TNOs have much larger uncertainties than their angular diameters (typically of the order of ~10 milliarcsecond) and also…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAstro and Planetary Science · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
