Open AccessDynamical determination of the mass of the Kuiper Belt from motions of the inner planets of the Solar system
Author(s) -
Iorio Lorenzo
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.11384.x
Subject(s) - physics , planet , ecliptic , solar system , nice model , astronomy , formation and evolution of the solar system , outer planets , asteroid , astrophysics , astrobiology , planetary system , solar wind , planetary migration , quantum mechanics , magnetic field
In this paper we determine dynamically the mass of the Kuiper Belt Objects by exploiting the latest least‐squares determinations of the extra rates of perihelia of the inner planets of the Solar system. By modelling classical Kuiper Belt Objects as an ecliptic ring of finite thickness, we obtain 0.033 ± 0.115 in units of terrestrial masses. For resonant Kuiper Belt Objects, a two‐ring model yields 0.018 ± 0.063. These values are consistent with recent determinations obtained using ground‐ and space‐based optical techniques. Some implications for precise tests of Einsteinian and post‐Einsteinian gravity are briefly discussed.