Equilibrium Shapes of Large Trans-Neptunian Objects | Zendy

Nicolas Rambaux | Zendy; Daniel Baguet | Zendy; F. Chambat | Zendy; Julie CastilloRogez | Zendy

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Equilibrium Shapes of Large Trans-Neptunian Objects

Author(s) -

Nicolas Rambaux,

Daniel Baguet,

F. Chambat,

Julie CastilloRogez

Publication year - 2017

Publication title -

the astrophysical journal letters

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 3.639

H-Index - 201

eISSN - 2041-8213

pISSN - 2041-8205

DOI - 10.3847/2041-8213/aa95bd

Subject(s) - hydrostatic equilibrium , homogeneous , trans neptunian object , physics , thermodynamic equilibrium , classical mechanics , geometry , statistical physics , astrophysics , solar system , astronomy , mathematics , thermodynamics

International audienceThe large transneptunian objects (TNO) with radii larger than 400 km are thought to be in hydrostatic equilibrium. Their shapes can bring clues on their internal structures that would reveal information on their formation and evolution. In this paper we explore the equilibrium figures of five TNOs and we show that the difference between the equilibrium figures of homogeneous and heterogeneous interior models can reach several kilometers for fast rotating and low density bodies. Such a difference could be measurable by ground-based techniques. This demonstrates the importance of developing the shape up to second and third order when modeling the shapes of large and rapid rotators

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