Trans-Neptunian%20Object%20satellite%20systems

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Trans-Neptunian Object satellite systems
NGAO simulations
Hypothetical 3rd moon, 75 km diameter.
Keck 2 LGS-AO
2003 EL61 A Charon-sized (1500 km) TNO with 2
satellites in non-coplanar orbits (Brown et al.
2006).
2003 EL61 at 51 AU

• Most large TNOs may have multi-satellite
  systems, which record their formation and/or
  collisional history.
• An NGAO survey of large TNOs would find all
  satellites gt100 km diameter out to 100 AU.

Identical system at 100 AU, observed using an
off-axis V16.5 NGS.