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(471325) 2011 KT19

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(471325) 2011 KT19
Discovery
Discovered by
List
Discovery date31 May 2011
rediscovered 2015 by Pan-STARRS
Designations
Pronunciation/niːkuː/
Named after
A Chinese adjective meaning "rebellious" [1]
Trans-Neptunian object
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch JD 2457600.5
Aphelion47.427 AU
Perihelion23.7805 AU
35.604 AU
Eccentricity0.33208
212.45 years
29.487°
Inclination110.1537°
243.77772°
322.174°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions60-190 km[2] 75-250 km[3]
~22.0 (2016)
7.8[2] 7.2[3]

(471325) 2011 KT19 (nicknamed Niku) is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) that has an unusual 110 degree tilted solar orbital plane and retrograde orbit around the Sun.[1][4][5]

Details

It was discovered some time in 2015, and announced in August 2016 by a team of astronomers using the Pan-STARRS telescope, and was soon linked with a supposed prograde Centaur that had been lost, designated 2011 KT19. Notably, it is part of a group of objects which orbit the Sun in a highly inclined orbit; the reasons for this unusual orbit are currently unknown.[6]

The orbital characteristics of 2011 KT19 have been compared to those of 2008 KV42 (Drac). The orbits of 2011 KT19, 2008 KV42, and four other objects appear to occupy a common plane, with three in prograde and three in retrograde orbits. The probability of this alignment occurring by chance is 0.016%. These orbits should leave a common plane in a few million years because the precessions of prograde and retrograde orbits are in opposite directions. Simulations including the hypothetical Planet Nine did not maintain a common orbital plane and the plane does not coincide with a the plane of the predicted high-inclination large semi-major axis objects of that model. Other simulations with a few Earth-mass dwarf planet on a high-inclination orbit also failed to reproduce the alignment.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Mystery object in weird orbit beyond Neptune cannot be explained". New Scientist. 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
  2. ^ a b c "JPL Small-Body Database (2011 KT19)". JPL. NASA. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  3. ^ a b "IAU Minor Planet Center - 2011 KT19". Minor Planet Center. IAU. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b Chen, Ying-Tung; Lin, Hsing Wen; Holman, Matthew J; Payne, Matthew J; et al. (5 Aug 2016). "Discovery of A New Retrograde Trans-Neptunian Object: Hint of A Common Orbital Plane for Low Semi-Major Axis, High Inclination TNOs and Centaurs". arXiv:1608.01808 [astro-ph].
  5. ^ "What Makes the Solar System Like a Crime Scene? - Science Friday". 2016-08-19. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  6. ^ Dalton, Andrew (10 Aug 2016). "There's something weird going on beyond Neptune". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 11 Aug 2016.
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