We calculate the upper bounds of the population of theoretically stable
Centaur orbits between Uranus and Neptune. These small bodies are on
low-eccentricity, low-inclination orbits in two specific bands of semi-major
axis, centred at ∼24.6 au and ∼25.6 au. They exhibit unusually long
Gyr-stable lifetimes in previously published numerical integrations, orders of
magnitude longer than that of a typical Centaur. Despite the increased breadth
and depth of recent solar system surveys, no such objects have been found.
Using the Outer Solar System Origins Survey (OSSOS) survey simulator to
calculate the detection efficiency for these objects in an ensemble of fully
characterised surveys, we determine that a population of 72 stable Centaurs
with absolute magnitude Hr​≤10 (95% confidence upper limit) could
remain undetected. The upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will be
able to detect this entire intrinsic population due to its complete coverage of
the ecliptic plane. If detected, these objects will be interesting
dynamically-accessible mission targets -- especially as comparison of the
stable Centaur orbital phase space to the outcomes of several modern planetary
migration simulations suggests that these objects could be close to primordial
in nature.Comment: Accepted to PSJ. 8 pages, 3 figures. Comments welcom