(181902) 1999 RD215 is a trans-Neptunian object of the scattered disc, approximately 148 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 6 September 1999, by American astronomers Chad Trujillo, Jane Luu, and David Jewitt at the Mauna Kea Observatories, Hawaii.[2][3]

(181902) 1999 RD215
Discovery[1][2]
Discovered byC. Trujillo
J. X. Luu
D. C. Jewitt
Discovery siteMauna Kea Obs.
Discovery date6 September 1999
Designations
(181902) 1999 RD215
1999 RD215
TNO[1] · SDO[3][4] · distant[2]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 3[1] · 1[2]
Observation arc8.03 yr (2,933 days)
Aphelion204.40 AU
Perihelion37.541 AU
120.97 AU
Eccentricity0.6897
1330.58 yr (485,993 d)
7.8003°
0° 0m 2.52s / day
Inclination25.990°
210.32°
137.86°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
147 km[4]
148 km[5]
0.08 (estimate)[5]
0.09 (estimate)[4]
7.4[1] · 7.6[5]

Orbit and classification edit

1999 RD215 orbits from the center of the Kuiper belt to well beyond into the scattered disc. It orbits the Sun at a distance of 37.5–204.4 AU once every 1330 years and 7 months (485,993 days; semi-major axis of 121 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.69 and an inclination of 26° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] The body's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation.[2]

Diameter and albedo edit

According to the Johnston's Archive and Michael Brown, 1999 RD215 measures 147 and 148 kilometers in diameter, and its surface has an estimated albedo of 0.09 and 0.08, respectively.[4][5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 181902 (1999 RD215)" (2007-09-17 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e "181902 (1999 RD215)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "List Of Centaurs and Scattered-Disk Objects". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Johnston, Wm. Robert (15 October 2017). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b c d Michael E. Brown. "How many dwarf planets are there in the outer solar system?". California Institute of Technology. Retrieved 16 January 2018.

External links edit