(139775) 2001 QG298

(139775) 2001 QG298 is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) that resides in the Kuiper belt and was discovered on 19 August 2001 by Marc William Buie at Cerro Tololo Observatory.[2] It is classified as a plutino, which means that it is in the 3:2 mean motion resonance with Neptune.[1]

(139775) 2001 QG298
Discovery
Discovered byMarc William Buie
Discovery date19 August 2001
Designations
Designation
(139775) 2001 QG298
Plutino (MPC)[1]
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Aphelion46.642 AU
Perihelion31.758 AU
39.200 AU
Eccentricity0.190
245.43 a (89,645.031 d)
7.386°
Inclination6.500°
162.610°
309.327°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions122 km[3]
Mean density
0.6–0.7 g/cm3[4]
13.7744±0.0004 h[3]
Albedo0.04 (assumed)[3]
Spectral type
  • V−R = 0.60±0.02
  • B−V = 1.00±0.04[3]
6.85[3]

    Physical properties

    2001 QG298 is a small plutino occupying the 3:2 mean motion resonance with Neptune. Its size is estimated at 122 km assuming a comet-like albedo of about 4%.[3]

    2001 QG298 has a double peaked light curve with a large amplitude, which has changed from 1.14 in 2003 to 0.7 in 2010. This large amplitude implies that it is actually a contact binary consisting of two elongated components of approximately equal size viewed from almost the equatorial perspective. The size of the components separated by the distance of approximately 300 km will be then about 95 km each. The density of 2001 QG298 should be at least 0.6–0.7 g/cm3 for it to remain bound.[3][4]

    See also

    References
    1. "MPEC G54: DISTANT MINOR PLANETS (2006 Apr. 25.0 TT) [27421-2007/05-R1]". IAU Minor Planet Center. 14 April 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    2. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 139775 (2001 QG298)". Retrieved 24 February 2016. 2010-10-04 last obs.
    3. Scott S. Sheppard; David C. Jewitt (2004). "Extreme Kuiper Belt Object 2001 QG298 and the Fraction of Contact Binaries". The Astronomical Journal. 4127 (5): 3023–3033. arXiv:astro-ph/0402277. Bibcode:2004AJ....127.3023S. doi:10.1086/383558. S2CID 119486610.
    4. Pedro Lacerda (2011). "A Change in the Lightcurve of Kuiper Belt Contact Binary (139775) 2001 QG298". The Astronomical Journal. 142 (3): 90. arXiv:1107.3507. Bibcode:2011AJ....142...90L. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/142/3/90. S2CID 118638439.
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