New Horizons: Plans for Nix and Hydra
Leslie YoungNew Horizons Deputy Project Scientist303-546-6057 (USA)[email protected]
For the entire team of Pluto Encounter Planners
Cathy OlkinJohn Spencer
Jeff MooreHal WeaverWill Grundy
Alan SternRandy Gladstone
Ivan LinscottMatt Hill
Heather Elliot...
Pluto-system Science Goals specified by NASA or added by New Horizons
Specified by NASA Added and ranked by New Horizons Science Team
Characterize the global geology and morphology of Pluto and Charon
Map surface composition of Pluto and CharonCharacterize the neutral atmosphere of Pluto and its escape rate
Specified by NASA Added and ranked by New Horizons Science Team
Characterize the time variability of Pluto's surface and atmosphere Composition of dark surfaces on Pluto
Image Pluto and Charon in Stereo "Far-side" imaging of Pluto and Charon
Map the terminators of Pluto and Charon with high resolution "Far-side" color and composition of Pluto and Charon
Characterize Pluto's ionosphere and solar wind interaction High resolution imaging of Nix and HydraSearch for neutral species including H, H2, HCN, and CxHy, and other hydrocarbons and nitriles in Pluto's upper atmosphere Color & composition of Nix and Hydra
Search for an atmosphere around Charon Shapes of Nix and Hydra
Determine bolometric Bond albedos for Pluto and CharonMap the surface temperatures of Pluto and Charon
Specified by NASA Added and ranked by New Horizons Science Team
Characterize the energetic particle environment of Pluto and Charon Surface microphysics of Pluto and Charon
Refine bulk parameters (radii, masses, densities) and orbits of Pluto & Charon Measure the surface temperatures of Nix and Hydra
Search for magnetic fields of Pluto and Charon Measure the phase curve of Nix and HydraSearch for additional satellites and rings Image Nix and Hydra in stereo
Education/Public Outreach
Group 2 Objectives: STRONGLY DESIRED
Group 1 Objectives: REQUIRED
Group 3 Objectives: DESIRED
None
New Horizons trajectory
Pluto-Charon14 July 2015
KBOs2016-2020
Jupiter System28 Feb 2007
Launch19 Jan 2006
New Horizons Pluto Encounter Geometry, 2015 July 14
0.24°
SunEarth
Hydra
Pluto
Nix
Charon
New Horizons TrajectoryPluto C/A11:50:0013,695 km13.78 km/s
Charon C/A12:04:0029,432 km13.87 km/s
Pluto-Sun Occultation12:51:28
Charon-Sun Occultation14:17:50
Charon-Earth Occultation14:20:09
Pluto-Earth Occultation12:52:30
15:00
11:00
• S/C trajectory time ticks: 10 min• Occultation: center time• Position and lighting at Pluto
C/A• Distance relative to body center
Orbit Period aCharon 6.4 d 19,571 kmNix 24.9 d 48,675 kmHydra 38.2 d 64,780 km
12:00
13:00
14:00
11:13:00 22,012 km
12:04:2777,572 km
The best dates for Nix and Hydra remote sensing were 2015 July 12-15.
NH Spacecraft & Instruments
2.1 meters
Pan/color imager & IR imaging spectrometer
UV spectrometer
Student Dust CounterSolar Wind Detector
Particle Detector
High-Resolution Imager
Radio Experiment
NH Spacecraft & Instruments
2.1 meters
Pan/color imager & IR imaging spectrometer
UV spectrometer
Student Dust CounterSolar Wind Detector
Particle Detector
High-Resolution Imager
Radio Experiment
1024 x 1024 pix, 5 microradian/pixel400-975 nm
256x256 pix, 64 microradian/pixelR=240 - 560, 1.25-2.25 micron
5000xN pix, 20 microradian/pixel4 colors, 400-975 nm
32 spatial x 1024 spectral pix, 0.3 deg/pixel, 46.5-118.1 nm
MVIC's color bands:color slopes and high-resolution CH4
780-975 nm
860-910 nm
400-550 nm
540-700 nm
LEISA's spectral range and expected species at Pluto and Charon
Pluto
Charon
Overview of Nix & Hydraobservations in encounter year (2015)
JulJunMayAprMarFebJan
OpNav/Orbit/Photom. OpNav/Orbit/Photom. OpNav/Orbit/Photom.
Color
Infrared
Ultraviolet
Shape & Geology Phasefunction
Overview of Nix & Hydraobservations in encounter year (2015)
JulJunMayAprMarFebJan
OpNav/Orbit/Photom. OpNav/Orbit/Photom. OpNav/Orbit/Photom.
Color
Infrared
Ultraviolet
Shape & Geology Phasefunction
Jan 25 - Mar 6 (P-170 to P-130 days),observations every 2 days
Observations start after New Horizonsis visible after conjunction, and end to allow a possible spin up of the spacecraft (to save fuel and thruster usage).
V = 16.4 to 15.9 (Hydra),V = 16.8 to 16.3 (Nix)
LORRI 4x4 mode (20 µrad pixels), 10 second exposures.
Resolution = 4050 to 3100 km per binned pixel
Purpose•Initial confirmation of Nix and Hydra orbits•Orbits and lightcurves over 1.0 Hydra orbit, 1.6 Nix orbit
Figure shows 44 binned pixels
OpNav, Orbits &Lightcurves:
Jan 25 - Mar 6
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
OpNav, Orbits &Lightcurves:
April 5 - May 6
April 5 - May 6 (P-100 to P-60 days),observations every 2 days
Observations timed to allow a possible spin up of the spacecraft (to save fuel and thruster usage).
V = 14.8 to 14.2 (Hydra),V = 15.2 to 14.6 (Nix)
LORRI 4x4 mode (20 µrad pixels), 10 second exposures.
Resolution = 2400 to 14300 km per binned pixel
Purpose•Improve Nix and Hydra orbits•Orbits and lightcurves over 1.0 Hydra orbit, 1.6 Nix orbit
Figure shows 100 binned pixels
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
OpNav, Orbits &Lightcurves:
June 5 - July 13
June 5 - July 13 (P-39 to P-1.5 days),observations daily
Begin after a possible spin up of the spacecraft.
V = 13.2 to 3.8 (Hydra),V = 13.6 to 4.1 (Nix)
LORRI 1x1 mode (5 µrad pixels), 0.10 - 0.15 second exposures.
Resolution = 233 to 3 km per pixelPurpose•Improve Nix and Hydra orbits - June 17 (P-27 d): Nix & Hydra transverse - June 30 (P-14 d): Nix transverse - July 6 (P-8 d): Nix radial & Hydra transverse - July 11 (P-3 d): Nix transverse•Critical OpNav•Orbits and lightcurves over 1.0 Hydra orbit, 1.6 Nix orbitFigure shows 1024 unbinned pixels
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
OpNav, Orbits &Lightcurves:
June 5 - July 13
June 5 - July 13 (P-39 to P-1.5 days)
Begin after a possible spin up of the spacecraft.
V = 13.2 to 3.8 (Hydra),V = 13.6 to 4.1 (Nix)
LORRI 1x1 mode (5 µrad pixels), 0.10 - 0.15 second exposures.
Resolution = 233 to 3 km per pixelPurpose•Improve Nix and Hydra orbits - June 17 (P-27 d): Nix & Hydra transverse - June 30 (P-14 d): Nix transverse - July 6 (P-8 d): Nix radial & Hydra transverse - July 11 (P-3 d): Nix transverse•Critical OpNav•Orbits and lightcurves over 1.0 Hydra orbit, 1.6 Nix orbit
Figure shows 1024 unbinned pixels
OpNav, Orbits &Lightcurves:
June 5 - July 13
June 5 - July 13 (P-39 to P-1.5 days)
Begin after a possible spin up of the spacecraft.
V = 13.2 to 3.8 (Hydra),V = 13.6 to 4.1 (Nix)
LORRI 1x1 mode (5 µrad pixels), 0.10 - 0.15 second exposures.
Resolution = 233 to 3 km per pixelPurpose•Improve Nix and Hydra orbits - June 17 (P-27 d): Nix & Hydra transverse - June 30 (P-14 d): Nix transverse - July 6 (P-8 d): Nix radial & Hydra transverse - July 11 (P-3 d): Nix transverse•Critical OpNav•Orbits and lightcurves over 1.0 Hydra orbit, 1.6 Nix orbit
Figure shows 2048 unbinned pixels
OpNav, Orbits &Lightcurves:
June 5 - July 13
June 5 - July 13 (P-39 to P-1.5 days)
Begin after a possible spin up of the spacecraft.
V = 13.2 to 3.8 (Hydra),V = 13.6 to 4.1 (Nix)
LORRI 1x1 mode (5 µrad pixels), 0.10 - 0.15 second exposures.
Resolution = 233 to 3 km per pixelPurpose•Improve Nix and Hydra orbits - June 17 (P-27 d): Nix & Hydra transverse - June 30 (P-14 d): Nix transverse - July 6 (P-8 d): Nix radial & Hydra transverse - July 11 (P-3 d): Nix transverse•Critical OpNav•Orbits and lightcurves over 1.0 Hydra orbit, 1.6 Nix orbit
Figure shows 4096 unbinned pixels
OpNav, Orbits &Lightcurves:
June 5 - July 13
June 5 - July 13 (P-39 to P-1.5 days)
Begin after a possible spin up of the spacecraft.
V = 13.2 to 3.8 (Hydra),V = 13.6 to 4.1 (Nix)
LORRI 1x1 mode (5 µrad pixels), 0.10 - 0.15 second exposures.
Resolution = 233 to 3 km per pixelPurpose•Improve Nix and Hydra orbits - June 17 (P-27 d): Nix & Hydra transverse - June 30 (P-14 d): Nix transverse - July 6 (P-8 d): Nix radial & Hydra transverse - July 11 (P-3 d): Nix transverse•Critical OpNav•Orbits and lightcurves over 1.0 Hydra orbit, 1.6 Nix orbit
Figure shows 4096 unbinned pixels
Shape, Geology, &Phase of Hydra
June 30 - July 16
Hydra diameter = 47 - 167 kmfor albedo = 0.04 to 0.34.
Hydra could subtend 2 pixels on June 30, for 14 days of resolved imagry.
Observations are taken at least daily starting June 5.
Figure shows 210 unbinned pixels
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.Time km/pix phase
7/13 14:27 5.4 18.9
7/13 23:16 3.2 21.5
7/14 04:56 1.8 26.8
7/14 7:40 1.1 34.1
7/14 14:45 0.8 163.1
7/15 2:39 3.7 169.7
Shape, Geology, &Phase of Nix
July 2 - July 16
Nix diameter = 40 - 141 kmfor albedo = 0.04 to 0.34.
Nix could subtend 2 pixels on July 2, for 11.5 days of resolved imagry.
Observations are taken at least daily starting June 5.
Figure shows 210 unbinned pixels
QuickTime™ and aGIF decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Time km/pix phase
7/13 14:33 5.1 14.2
7/13 23:18 2.9 13.4
7/14 04:39 1.6 11.9
7/14 8:06 0.8 8.5
7/14 10:05 0.3
7/14 11:18 0.5 92.2
7/14 14:53 0.92 158.2
7/14 23:05 3.0 162.7
7/15 02:45 3.9 163.2
Shape, Geology, &Phase of Nix
Effect of Ephemeris Uncertainties
The highest resolution image of Nix (0.3 km/pix) is at risk because the error ellipse is much larger than the LORRI field of view.
This can be helped by Nix orbit refinement in the days before closest approach, and better Pluto-barycenter ephemeredes.
The error ellipse at 0.5 km/pix is much smaller than the MVIC FOV.
Time km/pix phase
7/13 14:33 5.1 14.2
7/13 23:18 2.9 13.4
7/14 04:39 1.6 11.9
7/14 8:06 0.8 8.5
7/14 10:05 0.3 33.3
7/14 11:18 0.5 92.2
7/14 14:53 0.92 158.2
7/14 23:05 3.0 162.7
7/15 02:45 3.9 163.2
Summary of Observations New Horizons plan for Nix and Hydra
Nix Hydra
Panchromatic 0.29 km/pixel possible
0.46 km/pixel
0.77 km/pixel backup
1.14 km/pixel
1.80 km/pixel backup
Color 1.98 km/pixel
3.11 km/pixel backup
4.60 km/pixel
7.26 km/pixel backup
Infrared 3.60 km/pixel
9.93 km/pixel backup
14.64 km/pixel
22.83 km/pixel backup
Ultraviolet 25 minutes, filling 1/8 of the slot 30 seconds, filling 1/7 of the slot
Phases Incoming asymptote (14.8), plus
6.5, 8.5, 10.5, 11.9, 13.4, 14.2, 15.8, 33.3, 92.2, 158.2, 162.7, 163.2
Incoming asymptote (14.8), plus
15.8, 18.9, 21.5, 26.8, 34.1,
163.1, 169.8
Orbits 120 days, spanning 170 days (6.8 orbits)
120 days, spanning 170 days (4.4 orbits)
Observations New Horizons won't makeof Nix and Hydra
• Orbit and lightcurve measurements spanning several years
• Direct thermal measurements (although H2O may give surface temperatures)
• Color measurements over more than 3-25 days• IR measurements over more than 1-5 days• UV occultations
For more information
• APL's New Horizons site: http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/• Boulder/SwRI New Horizons site: http://www.boulder.swri.edu/pkb/• NASA's New Horizons site:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/• Various, Space Science Reviews 2008, volume 140• Young and Stern 2009. Icy Bodies of the Solar System (IAU S263),
To get involved• Contact Co-I's or instrument teams (see
http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/mission/team.php)• New data or modeling can affect choices of "retargetables," with
these decisions being finalized in early 2013.• Participating Scientist Programs in 2015 will introduce new
members into the team• All data is archived in NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS)• Data Analysis Programs fund analysis of spacecraft data.