Abstract

We present the results of an archival search for trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) in an ecliptic field observed with Subaru in 2002. The depth of the search allowed us to find 20 new TNOs with magnitudes between R = 24 and 27. We fit a double power-law model to the data; the most likely values for the bright and faint power-law exponents are {alpha}{sub 1} = 0.73{sup +0.08} {sub -0.09} and {alpha}{sub 2} = 0.20{sup +0.12} {sub -0.14}; the differential number density at R = 23 is {sigma}{sub 23} = 1.46{sup +0.14} {sub -0.12} and the break magnitude is R {sub eq} = 25.0{sup +0.8} {sub -0.6}. This is the most precise measurement of the break in the TNO luminosity function to date. The break in the size distribution corresponds to a diameter of D = 90 {+-} 30 km assuming a 4% albedo.

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