Properties of the Trans-Neptunian Belt: Statistics from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Survey

Abstract

We present the results of a wide-Ðeld survey designed to measure the size, inclination, and radial dis-tributions of Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs). The survey found 86 KBOs in 73 deg2 observed to limiting red magnitude of 23.7 using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and the 12K] 8K CCD mosaic camera. For the Ðrst time, both ecliptic and o-ecliptic Ðelds were examined to more accurately constrain the inclination distribution of the KBOs. The survey data were processed using an automatic moving-object detection algorithm, allowing a careful characterization of the biases involved. In this work, we quantify fundamental parameters of the classical KBOs (CKBOs), the most numerous objects found in our sample, using the new data and a maximum likelihood simulation. Deriving results from our best-Ðt model, we Ðnd that the size distribution follows a dierential power law with exponent (1 p,q \\ 4.0~0.5`0.6or 68.27 % conÐdence). In addition, the CKBOs inhabit a very thick disk consistent with a Gaussian distribution of inclinations with a half-width of deg (1 p). We estimate that there arei1@2 \\ 20~4`6(1 p) CKBOs larger than 100 km in diameter. We also Ðnd com-NCKBO(D [ 100 km) \\ 3.8~1.5`2.0] 104pelling evidence for an outer edge to the CKBOs at heliocentric distances R \\ 50 AU. Key words: Kuiper belt È minor planets, asteroids È solar system: formation On-line material: machine-readable table 1.