Title
Pluto's ephemeris from ground-based stellar occultations (1988-2016)
Date Issued
01 January 2019
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Desmars J.
Sicardy B.
Assafin M.
Camargo J.I.B.
Braga-Ribas F.
Benedetti-Rossi G.
Dias-Oliveira A.
Morgado B.
Gomes-Júnior A.R.
Vieira-Martins R.
Behrend R.
Ortiz J.L.
Duffard R.
Morales N.
Santos Sanz P.
Université PSL
Publisher(s)
EDP Sciences
Abstract
Context. From 1988 to 2016, several stellar occultations have been observed to characterise Pluto's atmosphere and its evolution. From each stellar occultation, an accurate astrometric position of Pluto at the observation epoch is derived. These positions mainly depend on the position of the occulted star and the precision of the timing. Aims. We present 19 Pluto's astrometric positions derived from occultations from 1988 to 2016. Using Gaia DR2 for the positions of the occulted stars, the accuracy of these positions is estimated at 2-10 mas, depending on the observation circumstances. From these astrometric positions, we derive an updated ephemeris of Pluto's system barycentre using the NIMA code. Methods. The astrometric positions were derived by fitting the light curves of the occultation by a model of Pluto's atmosphere. The fits provide the observed position of the centre for a reference star position. In most cases other publications provided the circumstances of the occultation such as the coordinates of the stations, timing, and impact parameter, i.e. the closest distance between the station and centre of the shadow. From these parameters, we used a procedure based on the Bessel method to derive an astrometric position. Results. We derive accurate Pluto's astrometric positions from 1988 to 2016. These positions are used to refine the orbit of Pluto'system barycentre providing an ephemeris, accurate to the milliarcsecond level, over the period 2000-2020, allowing for better predictions for future stellar occultations.
Volume
625
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Astronomía Ingeniería aeroespacial
Publication version
Version of Record
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85071233913
Source
Astronomy and Astrophysics
ISSN of the container
0004-6361
Sponsor(s)
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme 669416, 687378
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus