Astronomy:2010 RF43

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2010 RF43
Discovery [1][2]
Discovered byD. L. Rabinowitz
M. Schwamb
S. Tourtellotte
Discovery siteLa Silla Obs.
Discovery date6 September 2010
(first observed only)
Designations
2010 RF43
Minor planet categoryTNO [3][4] · SDO [5]
p-DP [6] · distant [1]
Orbital characteristics [3]
Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 2
Observation arc44.00 yr (16,071 days)
|{{{apsis}}}|helion}}61.903 AU
|{{{apsis}}}|helion}}37.482 AU
49.692 AU
Eccentricity0.2457
Orbital period350.30 yr (127,948 d)
Mean anomaly97.520°
Mean motion0° 0m 10.08s / day
Inclination30.638°
Longitude of ascending node25.320°
193.480°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter636 km (estimate)[7]
643 km (estimate)[6]
≈735 km (estimate)[4]
Geometric albedo0.09 (assumed)[4]
0.10 (assumed)[7]
0.11 (assumed)[6]
Absolute magnitude (H)3.9[3] · 4.0[6] · 4.1[7]


2010 RF43 is a trans-Neptunian object of the scattered disc orbiting in the outermost regions of the Solar System. It measures approximately 650 kilometers (400 mi) in diameter and is a strong dwarf-planet candidate. The object was first observed on 9 September 2010, by American astronomers David Rabinowitz, Megan Schwamb and Suzanne Tourtellotte at ESO's La Silla Observatory in northern Chile.[1]

Orbit and classification

2010 RF43 orbits the Sun at a distance of 37.5–61.9 AU once every 350 years and 4 months (127,948 days; semi-major axis of 49.7 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.25 and an inclination of 31° with respect to the ecliptic.[3] The body's observation arc begins with a precovery observation taken at Siding Spring Observatory in August 1976.[1]

Due to its relatively high eccentricity and inclination, it is an object of the scattered disc rather than one of the regular Kuiper belt.[2][8] Its perihelion of 37.5 AU is also too low to make it a detached object, which typically stay above 40 AU and never come close to the orbit of Neptune.

Physical characteristics

Diameter and albedo

Based on an absolute magnitude of 3.9,[3] and an assumed albedo of 0.09, the Johnston's archive estimates a mean-diameter of approximately 735 kilometers (457 mi),[4] while astronomer Michael Brown assumes an albedo of 0.11 and calculates a diameter of 643 kilometers (400 mi) using a fainter magnitude of 4.0. Brown also characterizes the object as a "highly likely dwarf planet", the second-highest level in his classification scheme (also see list of candidates).[6]

The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes an albedo of 0.10 and calculates a diameter of 636 kilometers (395 mi) based on an absolute magnitude of 4.1.[7]

Rotation period

As of 2020, no rotational lightcurve of this object has been obtained from photometric observations. The object's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[3][7]

Numbering and naming

As of 2020, this minor planet has not been numbered or named.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "2010 RF43". Minor Planet Center. http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=2010+RF43. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "List Of Centaurs and Scattered-Disk Objects". Minor Planet Center. https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/t_centaurs.html. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2010 RF43)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=3545742. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Johnston, Wm. Robert (18 August 2020). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/astro/tnoslist.html. 
  5. ↑ Buie, Marc W.. "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 10RF43". SwRI (Space Science Department). http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~buie/kbo/astrom/10RF43.html. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Brown, Michael E.. "How many dwarf planets are there in the outer solar system?". California Institute of Technology. http://web.gps.caltech.edu/~mbrown/dps.html. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "LCDB Data for (2010+RF43)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). http://www.minorplanet.info/PHP/generateOneAsteroidInfo.php?AstInfo=0%7C2010+RF43. 
  8. ↑ "List Of Transneptunian Objects". Minor Planet Center. http://www.minorplanetcenter.org/iau/lists/TNOs.html. 

External links




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