We explore the brightness distribution of the largest and brightest ( m ( R ) < 22) Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs). We construct a luminosity function of the dynamically excited or hot Kuiper Belt (orbits with inclinations >5°) from the very brightest to m ( R ) = 23. We find for m ( R ) ≲ 23, a single slope appears to describe the luminosity function. We estimate that ∼12 KBOs brighter than m ( R ) ∼ 19.5 are present in the Kuiper Belt today. With nine bodies already discovered this suggests that the inventory of bright KBOs is nearly complete.
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