2008 OG(19): a highly elongated Trans-Neptunian object

DOI: 
10.1093/mnras/stv2739
Publication date: 
01/03/2016
Main author: 
Fernandez-Valenzuela, E.
IAA authors: 
Fernandez-Valenzuela, E.; Ortiz, J. L.; Duffard, R.; Santos-Sanz, P.; Morales, N.
Authors: 
Fernandez-Valenzuela, E.; Ortiz, J. L.; Duffard, R.; Santos-Sanz, P.; Morales, N.
Journal: 
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
456
Pages: 
2354-2360
Number: 
Abstract: 
From two observing runs during the 2014 summer at the Calar Alto Observatory in Almer ' ia (Spain) and at the Sierra Nevada Observatory in Granada (Spain), we were able to derive CCD photometry of the Trans-Neptunian object 2008 OG(19). We analysed the time series and obtained a double-peaked light curve with a peak-to-valley amplitude of 0.437 +/- 0.011 mag and a rotational period of 8.727 +/- 0.003 h. This implies that this object is very elongated, closely resembling the case of Varuna. The photometry also allowed us to obtain an absolute magnitude in the R band of 4.39 +/- 0.07 mag. From this result, we estimated an equivalent diameter of 2008 OG(19) of 619(-113)(+56) km using an average albedo for scattered disc objects. Finally, we interpreted the results under the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium and found a lower limit for the density of 544(-4)(+42) kg m(-3). However, a more likely density is 609 +/- 4 kg m(-3) using an aspect angle of 60 degrees, which corresponds to the most likely configuration for the spin axis with respect to the observer assuming random orientations.
Database: 
ADS
WOK
SCOPUS
SCOPUS
URL: 
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/#abs/2016MNRAS.456.2354F/abstract
ADS Bibcode: 
2016MNRAS.456.2354F
Keywords: 
techniques: photometric; Kuiper belt objects: individual: 2008 OG19