(20161) 1996 TR66

(20161) 1996 TR66 is a trans-Neptunian object orbiting beyond Pluto in the Kuiper belt of the outermost Solar System, approximately 139 kilometers (86 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 8 October 1996, by astronomers David Jewitt, Chad Trujillo, Jane Luu, and Jun Chen at the Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii, in the United States.[4] It was the first discovery of a twotino.

(20161) 1996 TR66
Discovery[1]
Discovered byD. C. Jewitt
C. Trujillo
J. X. Luu
J. Chen
Discovery siteMauna Kea Obs.
Discovery date8 October 1996
Designations
(20161) 1996 TR66
TNO[1] · twotino[2][3]
distant[4]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 4
Observation arc12.04 yr (4,398 days)
Aphelion66.612 AU
Perihelion28.630 AU
47.621 AU
Eccentricity0.3988
328.63 yr (120,032 d)
55.593°
0° 0m 10.8s / day
Inclination12.436°
343.11°
308.70°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions139 km[5]
7.5[1]

    Orbit and classification

    It orbits the Sun at a distance of 28.6–66.6 AU once every 328 years and 8 months (120,032 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.40 and an inclination of 12° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] Near perihelion, it comes closer to the Sun than Neptune does (29.7 AU). It has a semi-major axis (average distance from the Sun) near the edge of the classical belt.

    Twotino

    1996 TR66 was the first twotino discovered. Twotinos stay in a 1:2 orbital resonance with Neptune, which means that for every one orbit a twotino makes, Neptune orbits two times. Both the Minor Planet Center and the Deep Ecliptic Survey list this trans-Neptunian object as a twotino.[2][3]

    Numbering and naming

    This minor planet was numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 9 January 2001.[6] As of 2018, it has not been named.[4]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 20161 (1996 TR66)" (2008-10-23 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
    2. "MPEC 2009-J35 :Distant Minor Planets (2009 MAY 29.0 TT)". Minor Planet Center. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
    3. Marc W. Buie (27 November 2000). "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 20161". SwRI (Space Science Department). Retrieved 12 May 2009. using 22 observations
    4. "20161 (1996 TR66)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
    5. "List of known trans-Neptunian objects". johnstonsarchive. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
    6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 24 February 2018.

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