Discovery of A New Retrograde Trans-Neptunian Object

[Urwumpe]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1608.01808

It seems to be in a similar orbit as the previously discovered TNO 2008KV42, which suggests some relation between the two objects.

Its about 200 km large, so, no. No Planet X again. :lol:

 

[Shifty]

It seems this is actually a 3rd retrograde object: 2011MM4 was previously discovered as well. Even more interesting than its retrograde movement is that its orbit seems to lie on a (highly inclined relative to the ecliptic) plane with 5 other objects (3 total retrograde and 3 total prograde) and that this planar situation shouldn't be stable (the orbits should precess out of plane in a few million years, with the prograde and retrograde orbits precessing in opposite directions.) The authors speculate what could cause this (ruling out Planet 9), but we don't know as of yet.

 

[boogabooga]

Regarding figure above:

Orbiter/Videnie has really spoiled me about how an orbit should be visualized... interactively and in 3D.

I just can't look at a professional 2D plot like that anymore.