2001 KY76, also written 2001 KY76, is a trans-Neptunian object from the Kuiper belt. It is classified as a plutino, a minor planet locked in a 2:3 mean-motion orbital resonance with the planet Neptune. It was discovered on May 23, 2001, by Marc W. Buie in the Cerro Tololo Observatory. The dwarf planet candidate measures approximately 285 km in diameter.
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Marc W. Buie |
| Discovery site | Cerro Tololo Observatory |
| Discovery date | 23 May 2001 |
| Designations | |
| Minor planet category | trans-Neptunian object · plutino · distant |
| Adjectives | none |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Epoch 17 October 2024 2460600.5 | |
| Observation arc | 7713 days (21.12 years) |
| Aphelion | 48.498 AU |
| Perihelion | 30.028 AU |
| Semi-major axis | 39.263 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.235 |
| Orbital period (sidereal) | 89863.5 days (246.0 years) |
| Inclination | 3.975° |
| Earth MOID | 29.0955 AU |
| Jupiter MOID | 25.0649 AU |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | 283 km 265 km |
| Albedo | 4% |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 6.17 |
Orbit and classification
2001 KY76 orbits the sun at a distance of 30–48.2 AU per 246.0 years (89863.5 days, semi-major axis of 39.2 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.235 and an inclination of 3.975° respective to the elliptic. Its observation arc began with Cerro Tololo Observatories in 2001.
2001 KY76 is a trans-Neptunian object and belongs to the plutinos, a large group of objects named after their largest member, Pluto. These objects are in a 2:3 mean-motion orbital resonance with the planet Neptune meaning, for two orbits a plutino makes, Neptune orbits three times, and are therefore protected from Neptune's scattering effect. Plutinos are located in the inner ridge of the Kuiper belt, a disk of mostly non-resonant trans-Neptunian objects.
Numbering and naming
As of 2018, the Minor Planet Center has neither numbered for named this object. According to naming conventions, it will get a mythological name associated with the underworld.
Physical characteristics
Color and rotation period
As of 2021, no spectral type and color indices nor a rotational lightcurve has been obtained from spectroscopic or photometric observations. The body's color, rotation period, pole, and shape remain unknown.
Diameter and albedo
According to Johnston's Archive and Michael E. Brown, 2001 KY76 measures approximately 283 km and 265 km in diameter with a geometric albedo of 4%. On his website, 2001 KY76 is a "possible" dwarf planet, which is the category with the lowest certainty in his 5-class taxonomic system.
See also
References
- ^ "2020 XL5". Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
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External links
- MPEC: recovery of the object
- list of known TNOs, including size estimates
- IAU minor planet lists
- 2001 KY76 at the JPL Small-Body Database