OSSOS exposes the complex size-frequency distribution of the main Kuiper Belt
Résumé
We present a determination of the H-magnitude (absolute magnitude) distribution for the main classical Kuiper belt based primarily on the Outer Solar System Origin Survey (OSSOS) catalog, but also draw inferences based on other published information where characterization of detection and orbital information was available. In particular, we show that for r-band H magnitudes from 7 to 9 the exponential distribution still has an exponent steeper than the Donanyi steady-state value down to the OSSOS limit. Based on our analysis we find that the distribution between r-band H-magnitudes 2 to 12 is not well represented by an exponential function with two or even three slope components and a more complex form, with perhaps four distinct slopes, is statistically demanded. We will present our evidence for the claim of a multiple-sloped H-magnitude distribution in the main classical Kuiper belt with particular focus on the low-inclination members of the population. We will also discuss the implication for the formation processes of objects in different size ranges with particular emphasis on the possible history expected for the New Horizons fly-by target 2014 MU69.