2002 RN109

2002 RN109
Discovery[1]
Discovered by LINEAR
Discovery date 2002-08-16
Designations
Jupiter crosser,
Saturn crosser,
Uranus crosser,
Neptune crosser,
Damocloid,
Trans-Neptunian object
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch 2456800.5 (2014-May-23.0)
Aphelion 1428 AU ±80
Perihelion 2.7056 AU ±0.0002
715 AU ±40
Eccentricity 0.99622 ±0.0002
19130 a (6980000 d) ±1600 (584000)
0.21° ±0.018
Inclination 57.94° ±0.005
170.50° ±0.000065
212.48° ±0.006
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 4 km (assumed)[3]
15.3

    2002 RN109 is a minor planet with the second highest orbital eccentricity of any known minor planet, after 2005 VX3.[4] It also has the sixth-largest heliocentric semi-major axis and aphelion of all known minor planets, while its extreme eccentricity brings it well within the orbit of Jupiter when at perihelion.

    2002 RN109 has an observation arc 80 days and has not been observed since November 2002 about 2 months before it came to perihelion 2.7 AU from the Sun.[2] During perihelion passage the object was 2.9 AU from Earth.

    It may be a dormant comet that has not been seen outgassing. In the past it may have made closer approaches to the Sun that could have removed most near-surface volatiles.


    References

    1. ↑ "MPEC: 2002 RN109". IAU Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2014-03-07.)
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2002 RN109)" (last observation: 2002-11-04; arc: 80 days). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
    3. ↑ "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. 2005-11-08. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
    4. ↑ "JPL Small-Body Database Search Engine: Asteroids and a > 100 (AU)". JPL Solar System Dynamics. Retrieved 2014-10-15. (Epoch defined at will change every 6 months or so)