Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2023

Presentation information

[J] Oral

P (Space and Planetary Sciences ) » P-PS Planetary Sciences

[P-PS07] Planetary Sciences

Mon. May 22, 2023 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM Exhibition Hall Special Setting (3) (Exhibition Hall 8, Makuhari Messe)

convener:Masanori Kanamaru(The University of Tokyo), Sota Arakawa(Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), Chairperson:Sota Arakawa(Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), Ryosuke Tominaga(Star and Planet Formation Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research)

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM

[PPS07-17] Investigating the orbital structure of the distant Kuiper Belt: Evidence for an undiscovered planet?

*Patryk Sofia Lykawka1 (1.Kindai University)

Keywords:solar system, Kuiper Belt, trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), Neptune, Planet X

Do the orbits of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) in the distant Kuiper Belt (>50 au) indicate the existence of a new planet in the solar system? Three essential properties in the distant Kuiper Belt should be explained consistently: 1) A large population of TNOs with orbits too distant from Neptune’s gravitational influence (with perihelia q > 40 au; 2) The existence of extreme TNOs possessing peculiar orbits (e.g., Sedna); 3) TNOs with very high orbital inclinations (i > 45 deg). Notably, these properties are difficult to explain in the current solar system. We performed N-body computer simulations of the outer solar system to investigate the effects of an undiscovered planet on the orbital structure beyond Neptune. We found that any resident planet should have at least 1 Earth mass and be located beyond ~200 au to explain properties 1 and 2, and more massive and/or inclined planets (i > 30 deg) are needed to explain property 3. We also confirmed that such planets could preserve the primordial resonant populations in the Kuiper Belt. This scenario also presents observationally testable predictions for new populations of TNOs that would exist due to the gravitational perturbations by this putative planet. These results will guide future astronomical surveys searching for undiscovered planets beyond Neptune.

(Both English and Japanese OK in this presentation)