2006 RJ103

2006 RJ103
Discovery [1][2]
Discovered by Sloan Digital Sky Srvy.
Discovery site Apache Point Obs.
Discovery date 12 September 2006
Designations
MPC designation 2006 RJ103
Neptune trojan · L4 [3]
centaur [1] · distant [2]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 3
Observation arc 14.15 yr (5,169 days)
Aphelion 30.862 AU
Perihelion 28.988 AU
29.925 AU
Eccentricity 0.0313
163.70 yr (59,793 days)
251.55°
0° 0m 21.6s / day
Inclination 8.1641°
120.86°
33.563°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions 130 km (est. at 0.10)[4]
180 km[5]
22.0[5]
7.5[1]

    2006 RJ103 is a Neptune trojan, first observed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Collaboration at Apache Point Observatory, New Mexico, on 12 September 2006.[2] It was the fifth and largest such body discovered, approximately 180 kilometers in diameter. As of 2016, it is 30.3 AU from Neptune.

    Orbit and classification

    Neptune trojans are resonant trans-Neptunian objects in a 1:1 mean-motion orbital resonance with Neptune. These trojans have a semi-major axis and an orbital period very similar to Neptune's (30.10 AU; 164.8 years).

    2006 RJ103 belongs to the leading L4 group, which follow 60° ahead Neptune's orbit. It orbits the Sun with a semi-major axis 29.925 AU of at a distance of 29.0–30.9 AU once every 163 years and 8 months (59,793 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.03 and an inclination of 8° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]

    Physical characteristics

    The discoverers estimate that 2006 RJ103 has a mean-diameter of 180 kilometers based on a magnitude of 22.0.[5] Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, it measures approximately 130 kilometers in diameter using an absolute magnitude of 7.5 with an assumed albedo of 0.10.[4]

    Numbering and naming

    Due to its orbital uncertainty, this minor planet has not been numbered and its official discoverers have not been determined.[1][2] If named, it will follow the naming scheme already established with 385571 Otrera, which is to name these objects after figures related to the Amazons, an all-female warrior tribe that fought in the Trojan War on the side of the Trojans against the Greek.

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2006 RJ103)" (2016-02-04 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
    2. 1 2 3 4 "2006 RJ103". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
    3. ↑ "List Of Neptune Trojans". Minor Planet Center. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
    4. 1 2 "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS/JPL. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
    5. 1 2 3 Lakdawalla, Emily (13 August 2010). "2008 LC15, the first Trojan asteroid discovered in Neptune's L5 point". The Planetary Society. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
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