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W. Romanishin (U. of Oklahoma), S. C. Tegler (Northern Arizona Univ.)
We have obtained B-V and V-R colors for a sample of 17 centaurs and Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) using the Keck II telescope. Combined with our previously reported colors, we now have a sample of about 30 objects for which we have measured optical broadband colors. Our previous sample showed objects split into gray and red groups, with no hint of any correlation of color with any orbital parameter or other physical property. With the enlarged sample, we find that classical KBOs with perihelion distances greater than 40 AU, particularly those with low orbital inclination, are extraordinarily red.
We wish to acknowledge funding from the NASA Planetary Astronomy Program, and also access to the Keck Observatory through NASA.