The TNO (47171) 1999 TC36 has been confirmed as a triple system. This is the 9th known multiple system in the Solar system after Mars [2 moons], Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto[3] and Haumea[2]. What is remarkable is that the three components are similar in size (286, 265, 139 km) and extremely close to each other (867 and 7411 km respectively). This opens interesting speculations for tidal interactions, although the very low density expected (0.5!) does not point to internally processed objects. The shape of the two central bodies, separated by less than three diameters, should be of great interest too.
Benecchi/Noll/Grundy/Levison are publishing their paper announcing this confirmation:
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0912/0912.2074.pdf
Quote from their conclusion:
"We present new compelling evidence that (47171) 1999 TC36 is a triple system. The component originally identified as the primary consists of two components that orbit each other with a period of TA1A2 = 1.9068±0.0001 days at a separation of aA1A2 = 867±11 km. Components A1 and A2 have diameters of of dA1=286(−38/+45) km, dA2=265(−35/+41) km assuming all components share the same albedo of 7%, determined from Spitzer measurements (Stansberry et al. 2008). We have also re-determined the orbit of the more distant secondary, component B. We find an orbital period of TB = 50.302±0.001 days and a semimajor axis of aB = 7411±12 km in approximate agreement with previous work. The diameter of component B is dB=139(−18/+22) km for the same assumed albedo. From the component B orbit we find a system mass of Msys=12.75±0.06 1e18 kg."
Benecchi/Noll/Grundy/Levison are publishing their paper announcing this confirmation:
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0912/0912.2074.pdf
Quote from their conclusion:
"We present new compelling evidence that (47171) 1999 TC36 is a triple system. The component originally identified as the primary consists of two components that orbit each other with a period of TA1A2 = 1.9068±0.0001 days at a separation of aA1A2 = 867±11 km. Components A1 and A2 have diameters of of dA1=286(−38/+45) km, dA2=265(−35/+41) km assuming all components share the same albedo of 7%, determined from Spitzer measurements (Stansberry et al. 2008). We have also re-determined the orbit of the more distant secondary, component B. We find an orbital period of TB = 50.302±0.001 days and a semimajor axis of aB = 7411±12 km in approximate agreement with previous work. The diameter of component B is dB=139(−18/+22) km for the same assumed albedo. From the component B orbit we find a system mass of Msys=12.75±0.06 1e18 kg."
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram