(44594) 1999 OX3

(44594) 1999 OX3
Orbit diagram (top view, 1999 OX3 in blue)
Discovery[1] and designation
Discovered by Mauna Kea
Discovery date July 21 1999
Designations
MPC designation (44594) 1999 OX3
Minor planet
category		 TNO[2]
centaur (DES)[3]
Epoch 2008-11-30 (2454800.5)
Aphelion 47.169 AU (Q)
Perihelion 17.644 AU (q)
(near Uranus)
Semi-major axis 32.407 AU (a)
(near Neptune)
Eccentricity 0.4555
Orbital period 184.49 yr
Mean anomaly 330.47° (M)
Inclination 2.62°
Longitude of ascending node 259.13°
Argument of perihelion 143.92°
Dimensions 192 km[4]
Geometric albedo 0.09 (assumed)
Absolute magnitude (H) 6.7[2]

(44594) 1999 OX3 is a Trans-Neptunian object with a centaur-like orbit.

Classification

Neptune has a semi-major axis of 30 AU and (44594) 1999 OX3 has a semi-major axis of 32 AU. The Minor Planet Center (MPC) does not classify this object as a centaur because the MPC defines centaurs as having a semi-major axis of less than 30.066 AU. (44594) 1999 OX3 crosses the orbits of both Neptune and Uranus and has an inclination of only 2.62°. The Deep Ecliptic Survey (DES) defines centaurs using a dynamical classification scheme, based on the behavior of orbital integrations over 10 million years. The DES defines centaurs as nonresonant objects whose osculating perihelia are less than the osculating semimajor axis of Neptune at any time during the integration. Using the dynamical definition of a centaur, (44594) 1999 OX3 is a centaur.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (40001)-(45000)". IAU: Minor Planet Center. http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/lists/NumberedMPs040001.html. Retrieved December 21, 2008. 
  2. ^ a b c "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 44594 (1999 OX3)". 2006-10-14 last obs. http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=44594. Retrieved 2008-09-30. 
  3. ^ a b Marc W. Buie (2006-10-14). "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 44594". SwRI (Space Science Department). http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~buie/kbo/astrom/44594.html. Retrieved 2008-09-30. 
  4. ^ Wm. Robert Johnston (22 August 2008). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/astro/tnoslist.html. Retrieved 2008-09-30. 

External links

(44593) 1999 OG3•(44594)_1999_OX3• (44595) 1999 PE