Solar System Astronomy

7.

Trans-Neptunian Region

7.1.

7.1.1.

Structure and Extent

7.1.1.1.

Location Beyond Neptune

7.1.1.2.

Classical Kuiper Belt

7.1.1.3.

7.1.2.

Kuiper Belt Objects

7.1.2.1.

Size Distribution

7.1.2.2.

Compositional Types

7.1.2.3.

Orbital Classifications

7.1.2.3.1.

Classical Objects

7.1.2.3.2.

Resonant Objects

7.1.2.3.3.

Scattered Objects

7.1.3.

Dynamical Families

7.1.3.1.

7.1.3.2.

7.1.3.3.

Other Resonant Groups

7.2.

7.2.1.

Classification Criteria

7.2.1.1.

Orbital Characteristics

7.2.1.2.

Hydrostatic Equilibrium

7.2.1.3.

Orbital Dominance

7.2.2.

7.2.2.1.

Discovery History

7.2.2.2.

Orbital Characteristics

7.2.2.3.

Binary System with Charon

7.2.2.4.

Surface Features

7.2.2.5.

Thin Atmosphere

7.2.2.6.

New Horizons Mission

7.2.3.

7.2.3.1.

Discovery and Controversy

7.2.3.2.

7.2.3.3.

7.2.4.

7.2.4.1.

Physical Properties

7.2.4.2.

Lack of Atmosphere

7.2.5.

7.2.5.1.

Elongated Shape

7.2.5.2.

7.2.5.3.

7.2.5.4.

7.2.6.

7.2.6.1.

Asteroid Belt Location

7.2.6.2.

Differentiated Structure

7.2.6.3.

Dawn Mission Results

7.3.

7.3.1.

Highly Eccentric Orbits

7.3.2.

Neptune Interaction

7.3.3.

Representative Objects

7.4.

7.4.1.

Theoretical Structure

7.4.2.

Spherical Distribution

7.4.3.

Long-Period Comet Source

7.4.4.

Observational Challenges

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