A Search for Distant Solar System Bodies in the Region of Sedna

Jan, 2009
10 pages
Published in:
  • Astrophys.J.Lett. 694 (2009) L45-L48
e-Print:

Citations per year

200920132017202120232410
Abstract: (arXiv)
We present the results of a wide-field survey for distant Sedna-like bodies in the outer solar system using the 1.2-m Samuel Oschin Telescope at Palomar Observatory. We searched ~12,000 square degrees down to a mean limiting magnitude of 21.3 in R. A total number of 53 Kuiper belt objects and Centaurs have been detected/ 25 of which were discovered in this survey. No additional Sedna-like bodies with perihelia beyond 70 AU were found despite a sensitivity to motions out to ~1000 AU. We place constraints on the size and distribution of objects on Sedna orbits.
Note:
  • 10 pages, 3 figures, accepted by ApJ Letters