Orbits of Observed Kuiper Belt Objects

I.P.Williams 
Queen Mary and Westfield College
Mile End Rd
London E1 4NS

A. Fitzsimmons
Queen's University
Belfast

and 
B. G. Marsden
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Cambridge
Massachusetts 02138

Abstract.

There are now over 20 objects discovered on trans-Neptunian orbits. In a few days
around discovery time, only a minute arc of the orbit is obtained so that soon after
 discovery it is only possible to deduce an orbit by making assumptions (usually 
circularity). However as the number of follow up observations increases, so does the
 accuracy of the orbital determination. At  present (March 95) one object has been
 observed at 3 oppositions and 9 at two. However these numbers will change as more
 observations, including some by the authors, are scheduled in the Spring. This paper
 will describe the observational situation as it pertains to the time of the meeting and
 give the relevant orbital information.