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J. Virtanen, K. Muinonen (Univ. Helsinki), G. Tancredi (Univ. Montevideo), E. Bowell (Lowell Observatory)
We have carried out a study of the orbits of the trans-Neptunian population. We have applied optimized statistical ranging to all the known objects (~450, as of September 2001). The stability of the computed orbits has been secured by performing an analysis of the close encounters with the major planets. Together with a statistical analysis of the orbital element distributions, we address the problem of dynamical classification and the evolution of ephemeris uncertainty. In particular, we find that the orbital element distributions for the most numerous single-apparition TNOs do not suggest the existence of a sharp edge for the belt near 50 AU. We also provide refined ephemeris predictions for the poorly observed TNOs.