Insolation changes on pluto caused by orbital element variations

In this paper, we compare changes in the insolation at Pluto, corresponding to three epochs during the dynamical history of the planet: t = – 1, 0 and 0.5, where t is the time in millions of years A.D. The two extreme values of t coincide respectively with a maximum (126 ) and a minimum (102 ) value of the obliquity (). The other orbital elements i.e. the eccentricity (e) and the longitude of the perihelion ( _p ) which affect solar radiation and which are apt to significant periodic changes are also calculated for the times under consideration. In a series of figures, the combined influence of the evolving dynamic parameters on the daily insolation and on the mean (summer, winter, annual) daily insolation is illustrated.