An Extremely Deep Rubin Survey to Explore the Extended Kuiper Belt and Identify Objects Observable by New Horizons

Abstract A proposed Vera C. Rubin Observatory deep-drilling microsurvey of the Kuiper Belt will investigate key properties of the distant solar system. Utilizing 30 hr of Rubin time across six 5 hr visits over 1 yr starting in summer 2026, the survey aims to discover and determine orbits for up to 730 Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) to an r -magnitude of 27.5. These discoveries will enable precise characterization of the KBO size distribution, critical for understanding planetesimal formation. By aligning the survey field with NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft trajectory, the microsurvey will facilitate discoveries for the mission operating in the Kuiper Belt. Modeling based on the Outer Solar System Origin Survey predicts at least 12 distant KBOs observable with the New Horizons LOng Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) and approximately three objects within 1 au of the spacecraft, allowing higher-resolution observations than Earth-based facilities. LORRI’s high-solar-phase-angle monitoring will reveal these objects’ surface properties and shapes, potentially identifying contact binaries and orbit-class surface correlations. The survey could identify a KBO suitable for a future spacecraft flyby. The survey’s size, depth, and cadence design will deliver transformative measurements of the Kuiper Belt’s size distribution and rotational properties across distance, size, and orbital class. The high stellar density in the survey field also offers synergies with transiting exoplanet studies.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Published
2025-08-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4365/adea42
Primary Topic
Astro and Planetary Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

An Extremely Deep Rubin Survey to Explore the Extended Kuiper Belt and Identify Objects Observable by New Horizons

Simon Porter, Fumi Yoshida, Brett Gladman, J. E. Parker et al.
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Astro and Planetary Science
article

An Extremely Deep Rubin Survey to Explore the Extended Kuiper Belt and Identify Objects Observable by New Horizons

Simon Porter, Fumi Yoshida, Brett Gladman, J. E. Parker, Megan E. Schwamb, Kevin J. Napier, Michele T. Bannister, Lowell Peltier, D. W. Gerdes, Susan Benecchi, G. M. Bernstein, P. C. Brandt, J Murtagh, Lynne Jones, A. Verbiscer, S. A. Stern, Wesley C. Fraser, M. W. Buie, J. J. Kavelaars, Terai Tsuyoshi, Takashi Itô, Pedro H. Bernardinelli, K. N. Singer, Colin Orion Chandler, Jean-Marc C. Petit
article en

Abstract

Abstract A proposed Vera C. Rubin Observatory deep-drilling microsurvey of the Kuiper Belt will investigate key properties of the distant solar system. Utilizing 30 hr of Rubin time across six 5 hr visits over 1 yr starting in summer 2026, the survey aims to discover and determine orbits for up to 730 Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) to an r -magnitude of 27.5. These discoveries will enable precise characterization of the KBO size distribution, critical for understanding planetesimal formation. By aligning the survey field with NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft trajectory, the microsurvey will facilitate discoveries for the mission operating in the Kuiper Belt. Modeling based on the Outer Solar System Origin Survey predicts at least 12 distant KBOs observable with the New Horizons LOng Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) and approximately three objects within 1 au of the spacecraft, allowing higher-resolution observations than Earth-based facilities. LORRI’s high-solar-phase-angle monitoring will reveal these objects’ surface properties and shapes, potentially identifying contact binaries and orbit-class surface correlations. The survey could identify a KBO suitable for a future spacecraft flyby. The survey’s size, depth, and cadence design will deliver transformative measurements of the Kuiper Belt’s size distribution and rotational properties across distance, size, and orbital class. The high stellar density in the survey field also offers synergies with transiting exoplanet studies.

The Astrophysical Journal Supplement SeriesVol. 280(1)
Southwest Research Institute (US), Space Science Institute (US), Planetary Science Institute (US), Kyushu University (JP), University of British Columbia (CA), University of Canterbury (NZ), Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (US), Institut UTINAM (FR), National Research Council Canada (CA), University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus (CA), University of Virginia (US), University of Pennsylvania (US), Okanagan University College (CA)
Openalex Percentile: Top 72%
Astro and Planetary Science
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.