Prediction and observation of a stellar occultation by Haumea's satellite Namaka
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2025
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| _version_ | 1866910886417924096 |
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| author | Rommel, F. L. Proudfoot, B. C. N. Holler, B. J. Ortiz, J. L. Fernández-Valenzuela, E. |
| author_facet | Rommel, F. L. Proudfoot, B. C. N. Holler, B. J. Ortiz, J. L. Fernández-Valenzuela, E. |
| contents | Stellar occultations are an ideal way to characterize the physical and orbital properties of trans-Neptunian binary systems. In this research note, we detail the prediction and observation of a stellar occultation observed with NASA's IRTF on March 16$^{\mathrm{th}}$, 2025 (UT), with drop-outs from both the dwarf planet Haumea and its smaller satellite Namaka. This occultation places a lower limit of 83 $\pm$ 2 km on Namaka's diameter. We also discuss the possibility that this detection could help to constrain the orbit of Namaka, measure Haumea's gravitational harmonics, and provide a path to measuring the internal structure of Haumea. |
| format | Preprint |
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arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_16142 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Prediction and observation of a stellar occultation by Haumea's satellite Namaka Rommel, F. L. Proudfoot, B. C. N. Holler, B. J. Ortiz, J. L. Fernández-Valenzuela, E. Earth and Planetary Astrophysics Stellar occultations are an ideal way to characterize the physical and orbital properties of trans-Neptunian binary systems. In this research note, we detail the prediction and observation of a stellar occultation observed with NASA's IRTF on March 16$^{\mathrm{th}}$, 2025 (UT), with drop-outs from both the dwarf planet Haumea and its smaller satellite Namaka. This occultation places a lower limit of 83 $\pm$ 2 km on Namaka's diameter. We also discuss the possibility that this detection could help to constrain the orbit of Namaka, measure Haumea's gravitational harmonics, and provide a path to measuring the internal structure of Haumea. |
| title | Prediction and observation of a stellar occultation by Haumea's satellite Namaka |
| topic | Earth and Planetary Astrophysics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.16142 |