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Accurate geometric albedo, shape, and size of Hi’iaka from a stellar occultation

Author

Listed:
  • Estela Fernández-Valenzuela

    (Florida Space Institute (University of Central Florida))

  • Jose Luis Ortiz

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC)

  • Bryan J. Holler

    (Steven Muller Building, Space Telescope Science Institute)

  • Bruno Sicardy

    (Université Paris Cité, LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université)

  • Flavia L. Rommel

    (Florida Space Institute (University of Central Florida)
    R. General José Cristino, Observatório Nacional, Ministério de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação
    Laboratório Interinstitucional de e-Astronomia - LIneA)

  • Mónica Vara-Lubiano

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC)

  • Nicolas Morales

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC)

  • Frederic Vachier

    (University of Paris, Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides)

  • Josselin Desmars

    (University of Paris, Institut de mécanique céleste et de calcul des éphémérides
    Institut Polytechnique des Sciences Avancées IPSA)

  • Mike Kretlow

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC)

  • Roberto Vieira-Martins

    (R. General José Cristino, Observatório Nacional, Ministério de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação
    Laboratório Interinstitucional de e-Astronomia - LIneA)

  • Emmanuel Jehin

    (Université de Liège, Space Sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR) Institute)

  • Marin Ferrais

    (Florida Space Institute (University of Central Florida))

  • Pablo Santos-Sanz

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC)

  • Zafar Rustamkulov

    (Johns Hopkins University, Department of Earth and Planetary Science)

  • Alexander de la Vega

    (Johns Hopkins University, Department of Physics and Astronomy)

  • Elizabeth Warner

    (University of Maryland, Department of Astronomy)

  • Zouhair Benkhaldoun

    (Cadi Ayyad University, Oukaimeden Observatory)

  • Roxanne Kamin

    (Muddy Run, Ryan Observatory)

  • Al Ryan

    (Muddy Run, Ryan Observatory)

  • Bernie Earls

    (Muddy Run, Ryan Observatory)

  • Dennis Conti

    (American Association of Variable Star Observers)

  • Julien de Wit

    (Atmospheric and Planetary Scienec (EAPS), Department of Earth)

  • Artem Burdanov

    (Atmospheric and Planetary Scienec (EAPS), Department of Earth)

  • Richard Francini

    (American Association of Variable Star Observers
    Astronomical League and American Association of Variable Star Observers)

  • Philip Langill

    (2500 University Drive NW, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary)

  • Ruben Morales

    (2500 University Drive NW, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary)

  • Wesley Fraser

    (Herzberg Astrononomy and Astrophysics Research Centre, National Research Council
    University of Victoria, Department of Physics and Astronomy)

  • Csaba Kiss

    (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Konkoly Observatory, HUN-REN, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences)

  • András Pál

    (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Konkoly Observatory, HUN-REN, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences
    MTA Centre of Excellence, CSFK
    Institute of Physics and Astronomy, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University)

  • Damya Souami

    (Université Paris Cité, LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université
    University of California, Departments of Astronomy and of Earth and Planetary Science
    8 Rempart de la Vierge, naXys, University of Namur
    Laboratoire Lagrange, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, Université Côte d’Azur, CRNS)

  • Jean Lecacheux

    (Université Paris Cité, LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université)

  • Felipe Braga-Ribas

    (Laboratório Interinstitucional de e-Astronomia - LIneA
    PPGFA/UTFPR-Curitiba, Federal University of Technology - Paran\‘a)

  • René Duffard

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC)

  • Alvaro Alvarez-Candal

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC
    Universidad de Alicante, Instituto de Física Aplicada a las Ciencias y las Tecnologías)

  • Gustavo Benedetti-Rossi

    (Université Paris Cité, LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université
    Laboratório Interinstitucional de e-Astronomia - LIneA
    UNESP – São Paulo State University, Grupo de Dinámica Orbital e Planetologia)

  • Bruno Morgado

    (Laboratório Interinstitucional de e-Astronomia - LIneA
    Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Observatório do Valongo)

  • Julio I. B. Camargo

    (R. General José Cristino, Observatório Nacional, Ministério de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação
    Laboratório Interinstitucional de e-Astronomia - LIneA)

  • Altair Ramos Gomes Júnior

    (Laboratório Interinstitucional de e-Astronomia - LIneA
    Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU))

  • Marcelo Assafin

    (Laboratório Interinstitucional de e-Astronomia - LIneA
    Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Observatório do Valongo)

  • Djounai Baba Aissa

    (Astrophysics and Geophysics, Center of Research in Astronomy)

  • Zaki Grigahcene

    (Astrophysics and Geophysics, Center of Research in Astronomy)

  • Marc W. Buie

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • Javier Licandro

    (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias)

  • Miguel R. Alarcon

    (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias)

  • Miquel Serra-Ricart

    (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias)

  • Alberto Castro-Tirado

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC)

  • Emilio Jesus Fernandez-Garcia

    (Glorieta de la Astronomía S/N, Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía - CSIC)

  • Ramón Iglesias-Marzoa

    (Centro de estudios de física del cosmos de Aragón (ceFca), Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ))

  • Francisco J. Galindo-Guil

    (Centro de estudios de física del cosmos de Aragón (ceFca), Observatorio Astrofísico de Javalambre (OAJ))

  • Hugo González

    (Ciencia e Cultura, Observatorio de Forcarei FC3 Fundación Ceo)

  • Rui Gonçalves

    (Plan Occult)

  • Adam Rengstorf

    (Purdue University Northwest, Department of Chemistry and Physics)

  • Randy Flynn

    (Squirrel Valley Observatory)

  • Aart Olsen

    (International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA))

  • Bill Hanna

    (International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA))

  • Jason Barnes

    (University of Idaho, Department of Physics)

  • Joseph A. A’Hearn

    (University of Idaho, Department of Physics)

  • Steven M. Kreyche

    (University of Idaho, Department of Physics)

  • William J. Miller

    (University of Idaho, Department of Physics)

  • Lillian E. Mortensen

    (University of Idaho, Department of Physics)

  • Thomas C. Gibson

    (University of Idaho, Department of Physics)

  • Gary Walker

    (Nantucket’s Science Center, Loines Observatory, Maria Mitchell Association)

  • Gerogia Stolle-McAllister

    (Nantucket’s Science Center, Loines Observatory, Maria Mitchell Association)

  • Gregory A. Feiden

    (University of North Georgia, Department of Physics)

  • Joseph Froetschel

    (University of North Georgia, Department of Physics)

  • Suzanne Steel

    (University of North Georgia, Department of Physics)

  • Destin Encardes

    (University of North Georgia, Department of Physics)

  • R. Scott Fisher

    (Deptartment of Physics, University of Oregon)

  • Alton Luken

    (Deptartment of Physics, University of Oregon)

  • Eric Holcomb

    (Deptartment of Physics, University of Oregon)

  • Daniel Caton

    (Appalachian State University, Department of Physics and Astronomy)

  • Bob Dunford

    (International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA))

  • Dmitry Monin

    (Herzberg Astrononomy and Astrophysics Research Centre, National Research Council)

Abstract

Stellar occultations, when a distant object passes in front of a star and casts a shadow on Earth, are a powerful tool to probe the physical properties of solar system bodies. They enable precise size and shape measurements and can reveal rings, satellites, atmospheres, or surface features. Here we present results from two stellar occultations by Hiʻiaka, dwarf planet Haumea’s largest satellite, observed in April 2021. The second event yielded the first documented multi-chord occultation involving a trans-Neptunian satellite other than Charon. Combining these data with photometric observations, we find that Hi’iaka is a triaxial ellipsoid with a volume-equivalent diameter of 370 ± 20 km and a density of 640 ± 80 kg/m³, indicating a porous interior. The visible geometric albedo is $$0.76\pm 0.15$$ 0.76 ± 0.15 , (∼ $$30\%$$ 30 % higher than Haumea’s). The combination of low density and rapid rotation (9.68 ± 0.02 hours), under the assumption of a homogeneous body, indicates that Hiʻiaka deviates from hydrostatic equilibrium.

Suggested Citation

  • Estela Fernández-Valenzuela & Jose Luis Ortiz & Bryan J. Holler & Bruno Sicardy & Flavia L. Rommel & Mónica Vara-Lubiano & Nicolas Morales & Frederic Vachier & Josselin Desmars & Mike Kretlow & Robert, 2025. "Accurate geometric albedo, shape, and size of Hi’iaka from a stellar occultation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-65749-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65749-1
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