PALS: Bryan Holler (STScI), Compositional diversity among the extreme trans-Neptunian objects from JWST

Compositional diversity among the extreme trans-Neptunian objects from JWST

Bryan Holler
STScI Scientist

Abstract: The extreme trans-Neptunian objects (ETNOs) are so-named because of their very eccentric orbits that take them far outside of the heliopause into interstellar space. Within this population are the "sednoids" which have the highest known perihelia in the solar system and never approach the Sun closer than ~60 au. The dynamical origins of these objects remain unknown. In this talk I will present what new information we can obtain about ETNO origins from compositional studies via JWST near-infrared spectroscopy. Some previously published dynamical origins are disfavored by these new data and the definition of what an "ETNO" is even brought into question.

Host: Ben Sharkey