Rotation and Mutual Eclipse Events Season in the Kuiper Belt: (524366) 2001 XR 254

Résumé fourni par la source

Abstract (524366) 2001 XR 254 is a dynamically cold classical Kuiper Belt object that is a nearly equal-sized wide binary whose upcoming mutual event season makes it a particularly valuable target for physical characterization. In advance of the mutual eclipse events, we conducted a ground-based photometric observing campaign between 2021 and 2026 using the Lowell Discovery Telescope to investigate the rotational and physical properties of the system, to refine predictions for its future mutual events, and to provide a lightcurve that we can use as a baseline to identify eclipse events superimposed with the rotation. We derive a double-peaked asymmetric rotational lightcurve with a period of 11.17 ± 0.04 hr and a lightcurve amplitude of 0.42 ± 0.04 mag. The lightcurve presents a sharp V-shaped minimum consistent with the primary being a close/contact binary, possibly making this a triple system. Using the Keplerian mutual orbit solution, we model the upcoming mutual event season expected between ∼2031 and ∼2040 and present some individual events for future campaigns. 2001 XR 254 is one of the few wide binary Kuiper Belt systems with a well-determined mutual orbit and a soon-observable mutual eclipse event season. Mutual event observations of this possible triple system will provide a rare opportunity to improve component sizes, shapes, densities, and surface properties, offering insights into the formation of the Kuiper Belt.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.