(119979) 2002 WC19

(119979) 2002 WC19
Discovery
Discovered by Palomar Observatory
Discovery date November 16, 2002
Designations
MPC designation (119979) 2002 WC19
Twotino[1][2]
Orbital characteristics[3]
Epoch JD 2457000.5 (9 December 2014)
Aphelion 60.94 AU
Perihelion 35.361 AU
48.151 AU
Eccentricity 0.26564
334.13 yr (122,042 d)
315.34°
Inclination 9.1685°
109.7742°
43.75°
Known satellites 1 (≈127 km)[4]
Physical characteristics
Dimensions ≈440 km (assumed)[4]
Albedo 0.07 (expected from theory)[5]
4.9 (combined system)

    (119979) 2002 WC19, also written as (119979) 2002 WC19, is a twotino, i.e. it is in a 1:2 orbital resonance with Neptune. It was discovered on November 16, 2002 at the Palomar Observatory. It is probably a dwarf planet.[5]

    Knowing how many twotinos there are may reveal whether Neptune took roughly 1 million or 10 million years to migrate about 7 AU from its birth location.[6]

    Orbit
    1:2 libration

    Neptune is held stationary at 5 o'clock.

    Satellite

    A natural satellite was reported to be orbiting (119979) 2002 WC19 on February 27, 2007. It is estimated to be 2,760 ± 250 km from the primary and to be around 139 kilometres (86 mi) in diameter.[4]

    References

    1. ↑ Marc W. Buie (2004-12-14). "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 119979". (using 61 of 65 observations) SwRI (Space Science Department). Retrieved 2009-03-04.
    2. ↑ "MPEC 2009-C70 :Distant Minor Planets (2009 February 28.0 TT)". Minor Planet Center. 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
    3. ↑ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 119979 (2002 WC19)" (2012-11-06 last obs; arc: 10.89 years). Retrieved 2014-11-15.
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wm. Robert Johnston (20 September 2014). "(119979) 2002 WC19". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 2014-11-15.
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mike Brown, How many dwarf planets are there in the outer solar system?
    6. ↑ Ron Cowen (2009-01-04). "On the Fringe". ScienceNews. Archived from the original on 7 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-04.

    External links