S23B0031

We propose the second phase of a large survey, the Formation of the Outer Solar System: an Icy Legacy (FOSSIL), to discover, track and classify Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs). These populations are the remnants of planet formation and long-term evolution in the Solar System. The size and orbital distributions of TNOs can reveal their collisional history, and dynamical evolution. By increasing the sample size and observational depth of populations under-represented in previous TNO surveys (e.g. CFEPS, OSSOS), FOSSIL will answer fundamental questions about the formation and evolution of the Solar System. Our efficient survey approach, based on significant experience from previous surveys, will leverage Subaru/HSC’s large field of view and sensitivity to survey 25 sq. deg. to mr=25.6 (1-1.5 magnitudes deeper than OSSOS, the largest TNO survey to date). We expect to discover more than 700 new TNOs. The discovery and initial tracking observations of FOSSIL II will be carried out with 4 nights in 2023A. In this proposal, we request for 1 night of followup observation in 2023B for further tracking and orbital classification of the detected objects.


This document was translated from LATEX by HEVEA.