(84922) 2003 VS2
Trans-Neptunian object
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(84922) 2003 VS2 is a trans-Neptunian object discovered by the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking program on 14 November 2003.[1] Like Pluto, it is in a 2:3 orbital resonance with Neptune[3][4] and is thus a plutino. It has an elongated shape with an estimated volume-equivalent diameter of 525 km.[5]
Hubble Space Telescope image of 2003 VS2 taken in 2005 | |
| Discovery[1] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | NEAT (644) |
| Discovery date | 14 November 2003[2] |
| Designations | |
| (84922) 2003 VS2 | |
| none | |
| Plutino[3][4] | |
| Orbital characteristics[2][3] | |
| Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 3 | |
| Observation arc | 8830 days (24.18 yr) |
| Earliest precovery date | 17 September 1991 |
| Aphelion | 42.413 AU (6.3449 Tm) |
| Perihelion | 36.456 AU (5.4537 Tm) |
| 39.435 AU (5.8994 Tm) | |
| Eccentricity | 0.075539 |
| 247.64 yr (90451.3 d) | |
Average orbital speed | 4.75 km/s |
| 15.535° | |
| 0° 0m 14.328s / day | |
| Inclination | 14.777° |
| 302.792° | |
| 114.317° | |
| Known satellites | 0 |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Dimensions | (678±10) à (470±12) à (452±16) km[5] |
Mean density | 1.4+1.0 â0.3 g/cm3[6] |
| 7.4175285±0.00001 h[8] | |
| 7.41±0.02 h[9] | |
| 0.134±0.01[5] | |
| Temperature | â44 K |
| |
| 19.7[10] | |
| 4.11±0.38[8] | |
Orbit and rotation
Like Pluto, 2003 VS2 is locked in the 3:2 mean-motion resonance with Neptune, although its orbit is both less inclined and significantly less eccentric than Pluto's.[2]
2003 VS2 has a high light curve amplitude of 0.21±0.01, indicative of an elongated, non-spherical shape.[5] The most likely value of the rotation period is 7.41±0.02 h.[9]
Physical characteristics
2003 VS2 has a moderately red surface with a moderately red color indices BâV=0.93, VâR=0.59.[11] Its geometrical albedo is about 0.13.[6]
In 2007, its diameter was initially estimated by the Spitzer Space Telescope at 725±200 km.[12] However, in 2012, this was reduced to 523.0+35.1
â34.4 km after new Herschel Space Telescope observations.[7] In 2019, 2003 VS2 was found to be ellipsoidal in shape based on stellar occultations that occurred in 2013 and 2014;[6] the light curve derived from the occultations suggests that this plutino is not in hydrostatic equilibrium and hence not a dwarf planet.[13] The dimensions of 2003 VS2 are estimated at 627.6 km à 531 km à 494.6 km, with a volume-equivalent diameter 548.3+29.5
â44.6 km.[6]
Further observations of occultations refined the estimate to (678±10) à (470±12) à (452±16) km, with a mean diameter of 524±7 km.[5]
2003 VS2 has no known satellite that can be used to directly determine its mass, but assuming a density of 1 g/cm3, typical of mid size TNOs,[14] gives a mass estimate of about 6.5Ã1019 kg.
See also
- 208996 Achlys â a large plutino and possible dwarf planet with an elongated ellipsoid shape
- Sedna â a dwarf planet discovered the same day as 2003 VS2 (14 November 2003)