Program: GN-2014B-Q-2

Plutinos, Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) trapped in 3:2 mean motion with Neptune, constitute the largest known resonant TNO population and is the most easily studied due to proximity and often high eccentricities. Current knowledge of the colour-distribution of the Plutinos suggest that Plutino colours may be correlated with size and/or with inclination. If this is indeed true, it means that the Plutinos have sub-populations with different origin and dynamical history, with important implications for theories of Solar System evolution. Here we propose an observational campaign to obtain high-precision colour measurements of 16 Plutinos recently discovered in a well-characterised and documented survey by us. Accurately measuring the colours of these Plutinos with a series of high-SN optical (GMOS) observations will be a significant addition to the currently known Plutino colours.