1993 RP is a trans-Neptunian object discovered by astronomers David Jewitt and Jane Luu at Mauna Kea Observatory on 15 September 1993. It was one of the first few trans-Neptunian objects discovered after Pluto and Charon, but it was not observed long enough to determine its orbit and ended up becoming lost for over two decades. 1993 RP was serendipitously reobserved in 2015–2016 by Edward Ashton, John Kavelaars, and Brett Gladman at Mauna Kea Observatory, but was announced as a new trans-Neptunian object under the provisional designation 2015 VR202.[6] 2015 VR202 was not recognized to be the same object as 1993 RP until it was identified by Peter VanWylen on 14 August 2023.[5]
| Discovery[1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | David C. Jewitt Jane X. Luu |
| Discovery site | Mauna Kea Obs. |
| Discovery date | 15 September 1993 |
| Designations | |
| 1993 RP | |
| 2015 VR202 | |
| TNO[2] · res 4:5 · distant[1] | |
| Orbital characteristics (barycentric)[3] | |
| Epoch 25 February 2023 (JD 2460000.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 4[2] | |
| Observation arc | 23.13 yr (8,449 d)[2] |
| Aphelion | 37.030 AU |
| Perihelion | 33.028 AU |
| 35.029 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.05713 |
| 207.19 yr (75,675 days) | |
| 319.320° | |
| 0° 0m 17.126s / day | |
| Inclination | 4.340° |
| 192.365° | |
| 278.735° | |
| Physical characteristics | |
Mean diameter | 40–90 km (est. 0.04–0.2)[4] |
| 24.7–24.9[5] | |
| 9.37[1] | |
1993 RP orbits 35 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun in a nearly circular orbit, which places it outside of the inner boundary of the classical Kuiper belt at 39 AU.[2] 1993 RP has an orbital period of 205 years, which is nearly exactly 5/4 that of Neptune's. This orbital period ratio makes 1993 RP in a 4:5 mean-motion orbital resonance with Neptune; for every four orbits 1993 RP makes, Neptune orbits five times.
See also edit
- Lost minor planet
- 1995 GJ – lost trans-Neptunian object
- 2006 HH123 – nonexistent trans-Neptunian object misidentified from asteroid observations
References edit
- ^ a b c "1993 RP". Minor Planet Center. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ a b c d "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2021 RR205)" (2016-11-02 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 1993 RP at epoch JD 2460000.5". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 21 September 2022. Solution using the Solar System Barycenter. Ephemeris Type: Elements and Center: @0)
- ^ "Asteroid Size Estimator". Center for Near Earth Object Studies. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ a b "MPEC 2023-P80 : 1993 RP = 2015 VR202". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. Minor Planet Center. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "MPEC 2021-J131 : 2015 VR202". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. Minor Planet Center. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
External links edit
- List of Transneptunian Objects, Minor Planet Center
- 1993 RP at the JPL Small-Body Database
