Accretion in the early outer solar system

We describe calculations of the evolution of an ensemble of small planetesi mals in the outer solar system. In a solar nebula with a mass of several ti mes the minimum mass solar nebula, objects with radii of 100-1000 km can fo rm on timescales of 10-100 Myr. Model luminosity functions derived from the se calculations agree with current observations of bodies beyond the orbit of Neptune (Kuiper Belt objects). New surveys with current and planned inst ruments can place better constraints on the mass and dynamics of the solar nebula by measuring the luminosity function at red magnitudes, m(R) greater than or equal to 28.