(55565) 2002 AW197 - 13th Largest TNO? 5th Largest Cubewano ?

2002 AW197 is a large trans-Neptunian object. 2002 AW197 is possibly the 13th largest TNO and 5th largest Cubewano currently known.

Discovery

2002 AW197 is discovered on January 10, 2002 by Michael E. Brown, Chadwick A. Trujillo, Eleanor F. Helin, Michael Hicks, Kenneth J. Lawrence and Steven H. Pravdo at Palomar Observatory.

Stats

Estimated Diameter: 734 km (626 - 850 km)
Aphelion: 53.53 AU
Perihelion: 41.07 AU
Semi-major axis: 47.28 AU
Orbital Period: 325.15 years
Rotation period: 8.86 hours
Date discovered: 2002.1.10
Satellite: ?
Classification: TNO, KBO - Cubewano

Orbit

2002 AW197 is currently 46.2 AU from the Sun and will come to perihelion around 2079.

Surface

ESO analysis of 2002 AW197 spectra reveals a strong red slope and no presence of water ice.

Dwarf-planet candidate

Measurements with the Spitzer Space Telescope have confirmed 2002 AW197 as a reliable dwarf-planet candidate, although it has not been officially classified as such by the IAU. Light-curve-amplitude analysis shows only small deviations, which suggests that 2002 AW197 is a spheroid with small albedo spots.