Multicolour photometry of trans-Neptunian objects: surface properties and structures

Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) and Centaurs display the widest colour range among solar system objects. Moreover, recent observational results revealed: (1) the existence of a family of classical TNOs (also called Cubewanos) with very red colours in dynamically ‘cold’ orbits beyond about 40 AU from the Sun; and (2) a few correlations among the dynamically ‘hot’ Cubewanos. Other TNO populations and the Centaurs show no obvious and systematic trends. The article describes the observations and reduction techniques applied for the photometry of these distant and faint solar system objects and provides a brief overview on the results and their links with formation and evolution scenarios of these primitive bodies in the outer solar system. To cite this article: A. Doressoundiram, H. Boehnhardt, C. R. Physique 4 (2003).