A survey for satellites of Venus

Sheppard, Scott S.; Trujillo, C. A.

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2009.02.008

Cited by 13 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…These objects were recovered up to two months later to determine if they had Neptune Trojan like orbits. The survey was designed similar to our ultra-deep surveys for satellites around the planets (Sheppard et al 2005;Sheppard & Trujillo 2009).…”

Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

The Size Distribution of the Neptune Trojans and the Missing Intermediate-Sized Planetesimals

Sheppard

Trujillo

2010

ApJ

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We present an ultra-deep survey for Neptune Trojans using the Subaru 8.2-m and Magellan 6.5-m telescopes. The survey reached a 50% detection efficiency in the R-band at m R = 25.7 magnitudes and covered 49 square degrees of sky. m R = 25.7 mags corresponds to Neptune Trojans that are about 16 km in radius (assuming an albedo of 0.05). A paucity of smaller Neptune Trojans (radii < 45 km) compared to larger ones was found. The brightest Neptune Trojans appear to follow a steep power-law slope (q = 5±1) similar to the brightest objects in the other known stable reservoirs such as the Kuiper Belt, Jupiter Trojans and main belt asteroids. We find a roll-over for the Neptune Trojans that occurs around a radii of r = 45 ± 10 km (m R = 23.5 ± 0.3), which is also very similar to the other stable reservoirs. All the observed stable regions in the the solar system show evidence for Missing Intermediate Sized Planetesimals (MISPs). This indicates a primordial and not collisional origin, which suggests planetesimal formation proceeded directly from small to large objects. The scarcity of intermediate and smaller sized Neptune Trojans may limit them as being a strong source for the short period comets.

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Section: Results and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

The Size Distribution of the Neptune Trojans and the Missing Intermediate-Sized Planetesimals

Sheppard

Trujillo

2010

ApJ

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“…As such, 2002 VE 68 is not a real, gravitationally bound satellite, but from the Venus point of view, the object appears to travel around it over the course of a Venusian year although it actually orbits the Sun. Venus has no known satellites: Sheppard & Trujillo () completed a survey in search for satellites but no actual moons down to about 0.3 km in radius were detected. At the time of its identification as a quasi‐satellite of Venus, 2002 VE 68 had an arc length of only 24 d so its orbit was not yet well known.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the dynamical evolution of 2002 VE₆₈

Marcos

2012

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Minor planet 2002 VE68 was identified as a quasi-satellite of Venus shortly after its discovery. At that time its data-arc span was only 24 days, now it is 2,947 days. Here we revisit the topic of the dynamical status of this remarkable object as well as look into its dynamical past and explore its future orbital evolution which is driven by close encounters with both the Earth-Moon system and Mercury. In our calculations we use a Hermite integration scheme, the most updated ephemerides and include the perturbations by the eight major planets, the Moon and the three largest asteroids. We confirm that 2002 VE68 currently is a quasi-satellite of Venus and it has remained as such for at least 7,000 yr after a close fly-by with the Earth. Prior to that encounter the object may have already been co-orbital with Venus or moving in a classical, non-resonant Near-Earth Object (NEO) orbit. The object drifted into the quasi-satellite phase from an L4 Trojan state. We also confirm that, at aphelion, dangerously close encounters with the Earth (under 0.002 AU, well inside the Hill sphere) are possible. We find that 2002 VE68 will remain as a quasi-satellite of Venus for about 500 yr more and its dynamical evolution is controlled not only by the Earth, with a non-negligible contribution from the Moon, but by Mercury as well. 2002 VE68 exhibits resonant (or near resonant) behavior with Mercury, Venus and the Earth. Our calculations indicate that an actual collision with the Earth during the next 10,000 yr is highly unlikely but encounters as close as 0.04 AU occur with a periodicity of 8 years.Comment: 12 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS (figures scaled-down

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“…There is no theoretical evidence that Venus has any moon or a ring-system. Moreover, physical exploration has not detected any moon around Venus [22], and no standard ringsystem has been detected around Venus [23].…”

Section: Venus Has No Moon and Has No Ring-systemmentioning

confidence: 98%

Chime’s Laws for Distribution of Planets, Moons and Planetary Ring-Systems: Critical Examination of Their Predictions and the Implications

Ekpunobi¹

2018

AJAA

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Study Aim: The problem as to whether planets, moons and planetary ring-systems are randomly or non-randomly distributed in the solar system has not been resolved. In this article, the predictions of Chime's laws for distribution of bodies were critically examined in order to see if planets, moons and planetary ring-systems were randomly or non-randomly distributed in the solar system. Method: Equations formulated based on the distribution of the known planets, moons and planetary ring-systems in the solar system, were used to predict the distribution of these bodies in all the planetary orbits of the solar system. The predictions made by those equations were then compared with observations. Result: The solar system is a 14-orbit system which has between 9 and 13 formed planets, between 190 and 248 formed moons and 6 planetary ringsystems. Many Jupiter's moons are missing. About three Uranus' moons await discovery. Pluto is Planet 10 which was predicted to have 6 moons and a planetary ring-system. Planet Eleven, predicted to have 2 moons and a planetary ring-system, has not yet been discovered. The non-random distribution of planets, moons and planetary ring-systems in the solar system favoured a formation process that was not prone to chance. There are serious flaws in the IAU definition of planet, which was why it was unable to recognize that Pluto is a Planet. Conclusion: This study has shown that planets, moons and planetary ringsystems are non-randomly distributed in the solar system. The simplicity, elegance and Fibonacci-friendliness of the beta total orbital bodies distribution laws make them very attractive. No standard ring-system or any more moons are expected to be discovered in Section 2.1.1 of the solar system. Astronomers should, therefore, channel their energies and limited resources towards Section 2.1.2 of the solar system where it is necessary to resolve such puzzles as the number of Jupiter's moons that are actually missing, the group of laws that is operative in the solar system and the fate of Warsawlene, the sixth moon of Pluto. There are serious flaws in the 2006 IAU definition of planet. Systematic theoretical explorations of Division 2.2 should commence with Orbit Eleven and its planet. Recommendations: Search for the three undiscovered moons of Uranus labeled Ezechi, Akanene and Ikechukwu in the order in which they will be discovered; search for the sixth moon of Pluto, Warsawlene; recognizing the planetary status of Pluto; serious efforts to discover Planet Eleven; and coming up with a new and better definition of planet.

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A survey for satellites of Venus

Cited by 13 publications

References 38 publications

The Size Distribution of the Neptune Trojans and the Missing Intermediate-Sized Planetesimals

The Size Distribution of the Neptune Trojans and the Missing Intermediate-Sized Planetesimals

On the dynamical evolution of 2002 VE₆₈

Chime’s Laws for Distribution of Planets, Moons and Planetary Ring-Systems: Critical Examination of Their Predictions and the Implications

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A survey for satellites of Venus

Cited by 13 publications

References 38 publications

The Size Distribution of the Neptune Trojans and the Missing Intermediate-Sized Planetesimals

The Size Distribution of the Neptune Trojans and the Missing Intermediate-Sized Planetesimals

On the dynamical evolution of 2002 VE68

Chime’s Laws for Distribution of Planets, Moons and Planetary Ring-Systems: Critical Examination of Their Predictions and the Implications

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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On the dynamical evolution of 2002 VE₆₈