2017 OF69

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2017 OF69
Plutino-orbits with 2017OF69.png
Orbital diagram of 2017 OF69 with other, larger plutinos: Pluto, Orcus, 2003 AZ84 and Ixion
Discovery [1] [2]
Discovered by D. J. Tholen
S. S. Sheppard [3]
C. Trujillo
Discovery site Mauna Kea Obs.
Discovery date26 July 2017
(first observed only)
Designations
2017 OF69
TNO [4]  · plutino [5]  · distant [1]
Orbital characteristics [4]
Epoch 27 April 2019 (JD 2458600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 3
Observation arc 6.01 yr (2,195 d)
Aphelion 47.844 AU (7.1574 Tm)
Perihelion 31.418 AU (4.7001 Tm)
39.631 AU (5.9287 Tm)
Eccentricity 0.2072
249.49 yr (91,128 d)
251.02°
0° 0m 14.4s / day
Inclination 13.654°
218.53°
215.37°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
533  km (est.) [5]
0.09 (assumed) [5]
4.6 [1] [4]

    2017 OF69 is a resonant trans-Neptunian object from the Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System in the Kuiper belt's plutino population and measures approximately 533 kilometers (330 miles) in diameter. It was first observed on 26 July 2017, by American astronomers David Tholen, Scott Sheppard, and Chad Trujillo at Mauna Kea Observatories in Hawaii, but not announced until 31 May 2018 due to observations made in April and May 2018 refining its orbit significantly. [2]

    Contents

    Orbit and classification

    2017 OF69 is a large plutino, a subgroup of the resonant trans-Neptunian objects located in the inner region of Kuiper belt. Named after the group's largest member, Pluto, the plutinos are making 2 orbits for every 3 Neptune makes.

    It orbits the Sun at a distance of 31.4–47.8  AU once every 249 years and 6 months (91,128 days; semi-major axis of 39.63 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.21 and an inclination of 14° with respect to the ecliptic. [4] The body's observation arc begins with a precovery by Pan-STARRS in June 2012. [1]

    Numbering and naming

    As of 2018, this minor planet has neither been numbered nor named by the Minor Planet Center. The official discoverer(s) will be defined when the object is numbered. [1]

    Physical characteristics

    Diameter and albedo

    According to the Johnston's archive, 2017 OF69 measures 533 kilometers in diameter assuming an albedo of 0.09 for the body's surface. [5]

    This makes 2017 OF69 a notably large body for how late it has been discovered, being the fifth largest plutino in the Solar System, after Pluto, Orcus, 2003 AZ84 , and Ixion, and the largest discovered since Orcus in 2004. It is unknown exactly why no surveys had discovered it previously, as it is neither in a particularly dense region of the sky, nor far enough south that most northern hemisphere-based surveys would ignore it, being only 5–6° south of the celestial equator. It seems unlikely that any body as large as this one remains undetected in the plutino region.

    Rotation period

    As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of 2017 OF69 has been obtained from photometric observations. The body's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown. [4]

    Related Research Articles

    In astronomy, the plutinos are a dynamical group of trans-Neptunian objects that orbit in 2:3 mean-motion resonance with Neptune. This means that for every two orbits a plutino makes, Neptune orbits three times. The dwarf planet Pluto is the largest member as well as the namesake of this group. The next largest members are Orcus, (208996) 2003 AZ84, and Ixion. Plutinos are named after mythological creatures associated with the underworld.

    <span class="nowrap">1998 WW<sub>31</sub></span>

    1998 WW31, is a non-resonant trans-Neptunian object and binary system from the Kuiper belt located in the outermost region of the Solar System, approximately 148 kilometers (92 miles) in diameter. It was first observed on 18 November 1998, by American astronomer Marc Buie and Robert Millis at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, United States. In December 2000, a minor-planet moon, designated S/2000 (1998 WW31) 1 with a diameter of 123 kilometers (76 miles), was discovered in its orbit. After Charon in 1978, it was the first of nearly 100 satellites since discovered in the outer Solar System.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">53311 Deucalion</span>

    53311 Deucalion, provisional designation 1999 HU11, is a trans-Neptunian object from the classical Kuiper belt, with a diameter of approximately 130–210 kilometers (81–130 miles), located in the outermost region of the Solar System. The cubewano belongs to the cold population and was discovered on 18 April 1999, by the Deep Ecliptic Survey at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, United States. It was named after Deucalion, from Greek mythology.

    <span class="nowrap">(208996) 2003 AZ<sub>84</sub></span> Plutino

    (208996) 2003 AZ84 is a trans-Neptunian object with a possible moon located in the outer regions of the Solar System. It is approximately 940 kilometers across its longest axis, as it has an elongated shape. It belongs to the plutinos – a group of minor planets named after its largest member Pluto – as it orbits in a 2:3 resonance with Neptune in the Kuiper belt. It is the third-largest known plutino, after Pluto and Orcus. It was discovered on 13 January 2003, by American astronomers Chad Trujillo and Michael Brown during the NEAT survey using the Samuel Oschin telescope at Palomar Observatory.

    <span class="nowrap">(15875) 1996 TP<sub>66</sub></span>

    (15875) 1996 TP66, provisional designation 1996 TP66, is a resonant trans-Neptunian object of the plutino population, located in the outermost region of the Solar System, approximately 154 kilometers (96 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 11 October 1996, by astronomers Jane Luu, David C. Jewitt and Chad Trujillo at the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii, in the United States. The very reddish RR-type with a highly eccentric orbit has been near its perihelion around the time of its discovery. This minor planet was numbered in 2000 and has since not been named. It is probably not a dwarf planet candidate.

    (118228) 1996 TQ66, prov. designation:1996 TQ66, is a resonant trans-Neptunian object of the plutino population in the Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System. It was discovered on 8 October 1996, by American astronomers Jun Chen, David Jewitt, Chad Trujillo and Jane Luu, using the UH88 telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii. The very red object measures approximately 185 kilometers (110 miles) in diameter. As of 2021, it has not been named.

    (118378) 1999 HT11, provisional designation:1999 HT11, is a trans-Neptunian object from the outermost region of the Solar System, locked in a 4:7 orbital resonance with Neptune. It was discovered on 17 April 1999, by astronomers at the Kitt Peak Observatory, Arizona, in the United States. The very red object measures approximately 134 kilometers (83 miles) in diameter. As of 2021, it has not been named.

    (91205) 1998 US43, provisional designation 1998 US43, is a resonant trans-Neptunian object of the plutino group, located in the Kuiper belt in the outermost region of the Solar System. The rather bluish body measures approximately 111 kilometers (69 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 22 October 1998, by American astronomer Marc Buie at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in the United States. It is probably not a dwarf planet candidate.

    (35671) 1998 SN165, prov. designation: 1998 SN165, is a trans-Neptunian object from the Kuiper belt located in the outermost region of the Solar System. It was discovered on 23 September 1998, by American astronomer Arianna Gleason at the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona. The cold classical Kuiper belt object is a dwarf planet candidate, as it measures approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) in diameter. It has a grey-blue color (BB) and a rotation period of 8.8 hours. As of 2021, it has not been named.

    1999 TR11, is a resonant trans-Neptunian object from the Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System. The reddish plutino measures approximately 93 kilometers (58 miles) in diameter. It was first observed on 9 October 1999, by American astronomer Scott Sheppard at the Mauna Kea Observatories with the University of Hawaii's 2.2-meter telescope.

    (523645) 2010 VK201, provisional designation 2010 VK201, is a trans-Neptunian object and member of the classical Kuiper belt, approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 1 November 2010, by the Pan-STARRS 1 survey at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, United States. It has a rotation period of 7.6 hours. It was numbered in September 2018 and remains unnamed.

    420356 Praamzius, provisional designation 2012 BX85, is a trans-Neptunian object from the classical Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System, approximately 190–320 kilometers (120–200 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 23 January 2012, by astronomers Kazimieras Černis and Richard Boyle with the Vatican's VATT at Mount Graham Observatory in Arizona, United States. The cold classical Kuiper belt object is a weak dwarf planet candidate and possibly very red in color. It was named after the chief god Praamžius from Lithuanian mythology.

    (523674) 2013 MA12, provisional designation 2013 MA12, is a classical trans-Neptunian object and dwarf planet candidate from the Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System, approximately 340 kilometers (210 miles) in diameter. The cubewano belongs to the hot population. It was discovered on 26 July 2011, by astronomers with the Pan-STARRS survey at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, United States.

    (505448) 2013 SA100, provisional designation 2013 SA100 and also known as o3l79, is a trans-Neptunian object from the classical Kuiper belt in the outermost region of the Solar System. It was discovered on 5 August 2013, by astronomer with the Outer Solar System Origins Survey at the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii, in the United States. The classical Kuiper belt object belongs to the hot population and is a weak dwarf planet candidate, approximately 260 kilometers (160 miles) in diameter.

    (523702) 2014 HW199, provisional designation 2014 HW199, is a trans-Neptunian object from the classical Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System. It was discovered on 30 January 2011, by astronomers with the Pan-STARRS survey at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, United States. The classical Kuiper belt object is also a dwarf planet candidate, as it measures approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) in diameter.

    (523684) 2014 CQ23, provisional designation 2014 CQ23, is a trans-Neptunian object and cubewano from the Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System. It was discovered on 13 March 2011, by astronomers with the Pan-STARRS survey at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, United States. The classical Kuiper belt object belongs to the hot population and is a dwarf planet candidate, as it measures approximately 330 kilometers (210 miles) in diameter.

    (523687) 2014 DF143, provisional designation 2014 DF143, is a trans-Neptunian object and cubewano from the Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System. It was discovered on 12 April 2011, by astronomers with the Pan-STARRS survey at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, United States. The classical Kuiper belt object belongs to the hot population and is a dwarf planet candidate, as it measures approximately 350 kilometers (220 miles) in diameter.

    (505624) 2014 GU53, provisional designation 2014 GU53, is a trans-Neptunian object and cubewano from the Kuiper belt, located in the outermost region of the Solar System. It was discovered on 8 April 2014, by astronomers with the Pan-STARRS survey at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, United States. The classical Kuiper belt object belongs to the hot population and is a dwarf planet candidate, as it measures approximately 330 kilometers (210 miles) in diameter.

    <span class="nowrap">(516977) 2012 HZ<sub>84</sub></span>

    (516977) 2012 HZ84, provisional designation 2012 HZ84, is a small trans-Neptunian object from the Kuiper belt located in the outermost region of the Solar System, approximately 74 kilometers (46 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 17 April 2012, by a team of astronomers using one of the Magellan Telescopes in Chile during the New Horizons KBO Search in order to find a potential flyby target for the New Horizons spacecraft. In December 2017, this classical Kuiper belt object was imaged by the spacecraft from afar at a record distance from Earth.

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 "2017 OF69". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
    2. 1 2 "MPEC 2018-K109L 2017 OF69". Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
    3. ↑ "List Of Transneptunian Objects". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
    4. 1 2 3 4 5 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2017 OF69)" (2018-06-14 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory . Retrieved 23 October 2018.
    5. 1 2 3 4 "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
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