2002 UX25 is a large trans-Neptunian object. 2002 UX25 is possibly the 18th largest TNO and 7th largest Cubewano currently known.
Discovery
2002 UX25 was discovered on October 30, 2002, by the Spacewatch program at Kitt Peak.
2002 UX25 has precovery images back to 1991.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 681 km (567 - 797 km)
Aphelion: 48.92 AU
Perihelion: 36.77 AU
Semi-major axis: 42.94 AU
Orbital Period: 281.41 years
Rotation period: 14.38 hours
Date discovered: 2002.10.30
Satellite: 1
Classification: TNO, KBO - Cubewano
Orbit
2002 UX25 is a Spitzer dwarf-planet candidate that orbits the Sun in the Kuiper belt beyond Neptune. It takes roughly 281 years to orbit the Sun.
2002 UX25 has a perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) of 36.77 AU, which it will next reach in 2065. As of 2010, 2002 UX25 is 41 AU from the Sun.
Physical Characteristics
A variability of the visual brightness was detected which could be fit to a period of 14.38 or 16.78 h rotation period (depending on a single-peaked or double peaked curve).
The Spitzer Space Telescope has estimated it to have a size of 681 +116 or
−114 km.
Satellite
The discovery of a satellite of 2002 UX25 was reported in IAUC 8812 on 22 February 2007.
The satellite was detected using the Hubble Space Telescope in August 2005. The orbit of this satellite has yet to be determined. The satellite was found at 0.16 arcsec from the primary with an apparent magnitude difference of 2.5. Assuming a similar albedo the magnitude suggests the satellite has a diameter of 205 ± 55 km.
How big is it?
2002 UX25 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Dwarf planet candidate?
2002 UX25 has an absolute magnitude of 3.6, making it a dwarf planet candidate. The Spitzer Space Telescope has estimated 2002 UX25 to have a diameter of about 681 km, and most icy objects around 400 km in diameter are believed to be spherical.
Michael E. Brown's automatically updated website lists it as a highly likely dwarf planet, and Michael E. Brown called it a probable dwarf planet. But light curve analysis has questioned whether it would truly qualify as a dwarf planet.
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Saturday, 17 March 2012
(208996) 2003 AZ84 - 17th Largest TNO? 3rd Largest Plutino ?
(208996) 2003 AZ84, is a plutino, like Pluto, in a 2:3 resonance with Neptune. 2003 AZ84 is possibly the 17th largest TNO and 3rd largest Plutino currently known.
Discovery
2003 AZ84 was discovered on January 13, 2003 by Michael E. Brown and Chadwick A. Trujillo using the Samuel Oschin telescope in the Palomar Observatory.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 685 km (686 ± 96 km)
Aphelion: 46.48 AU
Perihelion: 32.61 AU
Semi-major axis: 39.56 AU
Orbital Period: 248.81 years
Rotation period: 13.42 hours
Date discovered: 2003.1.13
Satellite: 1 ?
Classification: TNO, KBO - Plutino
Orbit
2003 AZ84 is classified as a plutino, which means that it is in a 3:2 orbital resonance with Neptune, similar to that of Pluto. It orbits the Sun in just over 248 Earth years.
2003 AZ84 is currently 45.3 AU from the Sun and came to aphelion (farthest distance from the Sun) in 1982. It will come to perihelion in 2107.
Physical characteristics
The Spitzer Space Telescope has estimated 2003 AZ84 to have a size of 686 ± 96 km, while an analysis of a combination of Spitzer and Hershel data yielded a somewhat higher estimate of 910 ± 60 km.
The spectra and colors of 2003 AZ84 are very similar to those of Orcus, another large planetoid in 3:2 resonance with Neptune. Both bodies have a flat featureless spectrum in the visible and moderately strong water ice absorption bands in the near-infrared, although 2003 AZ84 has a lower albedo. Both bodies also have a weak absorption band near 2.3 μm, which may be caused by ammonia hydrate or methane ice.
A stellar occultation in 2010 measured a single chord of 573 ± 21 km. But this is only a lower limit for the diameter of 2003 AZ84 as the chord may not have passed through the center of the body.
Satellite
Using observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, the discovery of a satellite of 2003 AZ84 was reported in IAUC 8812 on 22 February 2007.
The object was measured with a separation of 0.22 arcsec and an apparent magnitude difference of 5.0.
As of 2012, attempts to recover the satellite have failed. The unrecovered satellite is estimated to be about 68 ± 20 km in diameter.
How big is it?
2003 AZ84 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Discovery
2003 AZ84 was discovered on January 13, 2003 by Michael E. Brown and Chadwick A. Trujillo using the Samuel Oschin telescope in the Palomar Observatory.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 685 km (686 ± 96 km)
Aphelion: 46.48 AU
Perihelion: 32.61 AU
Semi-major axis: 39.56 AU
Orbital Period: 248.81 years
Rotation period: 13.42 hours
Date discovered: 2003.1.13
Satellite: 1 ?
Classification: TNO, KBO - Plutino
Orbit
2003 AZ84 is classified as a plutino, which means that it is in a 3:2 orbital resonance with Neptune, similar to that of Pluto. It orbits the Sun in just over 248 Earth years.
2003 AZ84 is currently 45.3 AU from the Sun and came to aphelion (farthest distance from the Sun) in 1982. It will come to perihelion in 2107.
Physical characteristics
The Spitzer Space Telescope has estimated 2003 AZ84 to have a size of 686 ± 96 km, while an analysis of a combination of Spitzer and Hershel data yielded a somewhat higher estimate of 910 ± 60 km.
The spectra and colors of 2003 AZ84 are very similar to those of Orcus, another large planetoid in 3:2 resonance with Neptune. Both bodies have a flat featureless spectrum in the visible and moderately strong water ice absorption bands in the near-infrared, although 2003 AZ84 has a lower albedo. Both bodies also have a weak absorption band near 2.3 μm, which may be caused by ammonia hydrate or methane ice.
A stellar occultation in 2010 measured a single chord of 573 ± 21 km. But this is only a lower limit for the diameter of 2003 AZ84 as the chord may not have passed through the center of the body.
Satellite
Using observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, the discovery of a satellite of 2003 AZ84 was reported in IAUC 8812 on 22 February 2007.
The object was measured with a separation of 0.22 arcsec and an apparent magnitude difference of 5.0.
As of 2012, attempts to recover the satellite have failed. The unrecovered satellite is estimated to be about 68 ± 20 km in diameter.
How big is it?
2003 AZ84 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
(278361) 2007 JJ43 - 16th Largest TNO?
(278361) 2007 JJ43 is a large trans-Neptunian object (TNO). 2007 JJ43 is possibly the 16th largest TNO currently known.
Discovery
2007 JJ43's discovery images were taken on May 14, 2007 at Palomar Observatory.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 694 km (650 - 800 km)
Aphelion: 55.37 AU
Perihelion: 40.29 AU
Semi-major axis: 47.8 AU
Orbital Period: 330.53 years
Rotation period: ? hours
Date discovered: 2007.5.14
Satellite: ?
Classification: TNO, other
Orbit
2007 JJ43 is orbiting the Sun near the outer edge of the Kuiper belt. As of 2012, 2007 JJ43 is about 41.5 AU from the Sun.
How big is it?
2007 JJ43 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Dwarf-planet candidate
2007 JJ43's absolute magnitude of 3.7 is one of the twenty brightest exhibited by TNOs. Assuming it has a typical albedo, this would make it roughly the same size as Ixion (~650–800 km diameter).
Mike Brown's automatically updated website lists it as a highly likely dwarf planet, but the diameter of the object has never been measured.
Discovery
2007 JJ43's discovery images were taken on May 14, 2007 at Palomar Observatory.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 694 km (650 - 800 km)
Aphelion: 55.37 AU
Perihelion: 40.29 AU
Semi-major axis: 47.8 AU
Orbital Period: 330.53 years
Rotation period: ? hours
Date discovered: 2007.5.14
Satellite: ?
Classification: TNO, other
Orbit
2007 JJ43 is orbiting the Sun near the outer edge of the Kuiper belt. As of 2012, 2007 JJ43 is about 41.5 AU from the Sun.
How big is it?
2007 JJ43 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Dwarf-planet candidate
2007 JJ43's absolute magnitude of 3.7 is one of the twenty brightest exhibited by TNOs. Assuming it has a typical albedo, this would make it roughly the same size as Ixion (~650–800 km diameter).
Mike Brown's automatically updated website lists it as a highly likely dwarf planet, but the diameter of the object has never been measured.
Saturday, 10 March 2012
(307261) 2002 MS4 - 15th Largest TNO? 6th Largest Cubewano ?
2002 MS4 is a large trans-Neptunian object. 2002 MS4 is possibly the 15th largest TNO and 6th largest Cubewano currently known.
Discovery
2002 MS4 is discovered on June 18, 2002 by Michael E. Brown and Chadwick A. Trujillo at Palomar Observatory.
2002 MS4 has precovery images back to 1954.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 726 km (603 - 849 km)
Aphelion: 47.86 AU
Perihelion: 35.51 AU
Semi-major axis: 41.67 AU
Orbital Period: 268.98 years
Rotation period: 16.34 hours
Date discovered: 2002.6.18
Satellite: ?
Classification: TNO, KBO - Cubewano
Orbit
2002 MS4 currently 47.2 AU from the Sun and will come to perihelion around 2122.
How big is it?
2002 MS4 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Dwarf-planet candidate
Mike Brown's automatically updated website lists it as a highly likely dwarf planet.
The Spitzer Space Telescope has estimated it to have a diameter of 726 ± 123 km.
Discovery
2002 MS4 is discovered on June 18, 2002 by Michael E. Brown and Chadwick A. Trujillo at Palomar Observatory.
2002 MS4 has precovery images back to 1954.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 726 km (603 - 849 km)
Aphelion: 47.86 AU
Perihelion: 35.51 AU
Semi-major axis: 41.67 AU
Orbital Period: 268.98 years
Rotation period: 16.34 hours
Date discovered: 2002.6.18
Satellite: ?
Classification: TNO, KBO - Cubewano
Orbit
2002 MS4 currently 47.2 AU from the Sun and will come to perihelion around 2122.
How big is it?
2002 MS4 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Dwarf-planet candidate
Mike Brown's automatically updated website lists it as a highly likely dwarf planet.
The Spitzer Space Telescope has estimated it to have a diameter of 726 ± 123 km.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
(303775) 2005 QU182 - 14th Largest TNO? 4th Largest SDO?
2005 QU182 is a trans-Neptunian object and is possibly the 14th largest TNO and 4th largest SDO currently known.
Discovery
2005 QU182 is discovered on August 30, 2005 by Michael E. Brown, Chadwick A. Trujillo and David Lincoln Rabinowitz.
2005 QU182 has precovery images back to 1974.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 730 km (530 - 1186 km)
Aphelion: 190.75 AU
Perihelion: 37.01 AU
Semi-major axis: 113.88 AU
Orbital Period: 1215 years
Rotation period: ? hours
Date discovered: 2005.8.30
Satellite: ?
Classification: TNO, SDO
Orbit
2005 QU182 takes over 1,200 years to orbit the Sun. Of the dwarf planets and known dwarf-planet candidates, only Sedna is known to have a longer orbit around the Sun.
2005 QU182 came to perihelion in 1971, and is currently 49 AU from the Sun.
How big is it?
2005 QU182 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Dwarf-planet candidate
2005 QU182 has a bright absolute magnitude of 3.5. This qualifies it as one of the largest dwarf-planet candidates. As of August 2011, Mike Brown lists it as highly likely a dwarf planet.
Discovery
2005 QU182 is discovered on August 30, 2005 by Michael E. Brown, Chadwick A. Trujillo and David Lincoln Rabinowitz.
2005 QU182 has precovery images back to 1974.
Stats
Estimated Diameter: 730 km (530 - 1186 km)
Aphelion: 190.75 AU
Perihelion: 37.01 AU
Semi-major axis: 113.88 AU
Orbital Period: 1215 years
Rotation period: ? hours
Date discovered: 2005.8.30
Satellite: ?
Classification: TNO, SDO
Orbit
2005 QU182 takes over 1,200 years to orbit the Sun. Of the dwarf planets and known dwarf-planet candidates, only Sedna is known to have a longer orbit around the Sun.
2005 QU182 came to perihelion in 1971, and is currently 49 AU from the Sun.
How big is it?
2005 QU182 is so far away in the outer solar system that we don't know for sure how large it is. Because all we see is a dot of light, which is sunlight reflected off the surface of the TNO. But we don't know if the object is bright because it is large or if it is bright because it is highly reflective or both.
Dwarf-planet candidate
2005 QU182 has a bright absolute magnitude of 3.5. This qualifies it as one of the largest dwarf-planet candidates. As of August 2011, Mike Brown lists it as highly likely a dwarf planet.
(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.
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.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
11th Largest Moon of Neptune - Sao (10th Moon outwards from Neptune)
Sao is a prograde irregular satellite of Neptune.
Sao is the 11th overall largest satellite of Neptune and 68th largest moon in the Solar System currently known.
Discovery
Matthew J. Holman, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA); John J. Kavelaars, National Research Council of Canada; T. Grav, University of Oslo and CfA; and W. Fraser and Dan Milisavljevic, McMaster University, reported the discovery of three satellites of Neptune on CCD images obtained in 14 August 2002 with the 4-m Blanco telescope at Cerro Tololo.
One of the satellites was Sao.
Naming
The moon was given the temporary designation S/2002 N2.
Sao the moon is named after one of the Nereids, the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris. Sao was associated with sailing and is referred to as "The rescuer" or "Safety".
Stats
Diameter (mean): 44 km
Semi-major axis: 22,228,000 km
Orbital Period: 2912.72 days
Rotation Period: ?
Orbit
Sao follows an exceptionally inclined and moderately eccentric orbit in relation to other irregular satellites of Neptune.
Sao is in so-called Kozai resonance, i.e. its inclination and eccentricity are coupled (the inclination of the orbit decreases while eccentricity increases and vice versa).
Physical characteristics
Little is known about Sao.
Sao is about 44 kilometers in diameter (assuming an albedo of 0.04).
Sao is the 11th overall largest satellite of Neptune and 68th largest moon in the Solar System currently known.
Discovery
Matthew J. Holman, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA); John J. Kavelaars, National Research Council of Canada; T. Grav, University of Oslo and CfA; and W. Fraser and Dan Milisavljevic, McMaster University, reported the discovery of three satellites of Neptune on CCD images obtained in 14 August 2002 with the 4-m Blanco telescope at Cerro Tololo.
One of the satellites was Sao.
Naming
The moon was given the temporary designation S/2002 N2.
Sao the moon is named after one of the Nereids, the fifty daughters of Nereus and Doris. Sao was associated with sailing and is referred to as "The rescuer" or "Safety".
Stats
Diameter (mean): 44 km
Semi-major axis: 22,228,000 km
Orbital Period: 2912.72 days
Rotation Period: ?
Orbit
Sao follows an exceptionally inclined and moderately eccentric orbit in relation to other irregular satellites of Neptune.
Sao is in so-called Kozai resonance, i.e. its inclination and eccentricity are coupled (the inclination of the orbit decreases while eccentricity increases and vice versa).
Physical characteristics
Little is known about Sao.
Sao is about 44 kilometers in diameter (assuming an albedo of 0.04).
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