(55636) 2002 TX300

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**(55636) 2002 TX₃₀₀**
Orbital elements
Eccentricity (orbit)>e
Inclination>i	°
Perihelion>q	AU
Argument of perihelion>ω	°
Semi-major axis>a	AU
Longitude of the ascending node>ω	°
Aphelion>Q	AU
Mean anomaly>M	°
Orbital period>P	years
Mean motion>n	°/day
Time of perihelion passage>TP

(55636) 2002 TX₃₀₀ (Also written as (55636) 2002 TX300) is a large Trans-Neptunian object discovered in October 15, 2002 by the NEAT program.

Classical Kuiper Belt object with the absolute magnitude between that of (50000) Quaoar and (20000) Varuna, 2003 TX ₃₀₀ has the most eccentric and inclined orbit of the three.

Non-detection of thermal emission puts the upper limit of 907 km on its diameter and lower limit on albedo 0.08 (to compare with Varuna's diameter of 1060 km and albedo of 0.038 respectively).

A variability of the visual brightness was also detected which could fit to 7.9 h or 15.8 h rotational period (the distinction between single or double-peaked curved cold not be made with confidence). The changes in brightness are quite close to the error margin and could also be due to irregular shape.

Infra-red spectrum indicates large quantities of water ice, similar to Quaoar, but visible spectrum is neutral (Quaoar is red).

Orbit

2002 TX₃₀₀ is classified as a classical Kuiper belt object and follows an orbit very similar to that of 2003 EL₆₁: highly inclined (26°) and moderately eccentric (e~0.12), far from Neptune’s perturbations (perihelion at ~37AU). Other mid-sizes cubewanos follow similar orbits as well, notably 2002 UX₂₅ and 2002 AW₁₉₇.

The diagrams show polar and ecliptic views of the orbits of the two cubewanos. The perihelia (q) and the aphelia (Q) are marked with the dates of passage. The present positions (as of April 2006) are marked with the spheres illustrating relative sizes and differences in albedo (both objects appear neutral in the visible spectrum). Very similar orbits for these 'hot' classical objects do not imply similar physical properties; 2002 TX₃₀₀ is smaller and much dimmer (albedo<0.08) than 2003 EL₆₁.

External links

[AstDys] orbital elements
[Orbit simulation] from JPL (Java).

References

J. L. Ortiz, A. Sota, R. Moreno, E. Lellouch, N. Biver, A. Doressoundiram, P. Rousselot, P. J. Gutiérrez, I. Márquez, R. M. González Delgado and V. Casanova A study of Trans-Neptunian object (55636) 2002 TX₃₀₀, Astronomy & Astrophysics, 420 (2004), Issue 1, pp. 383-388. [Abstract.]

Pinilla-Alonso, N.; Licandro, J.; Campins, H. Mineralogical analysis of two different kind of icy surfaces in the trans-neptunian belt, TNOs (50000) Quaoar and 2002 TX₃₀₀, American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #36, #11.07 (2004). [Abstract.]

J.Licandro, L. di Fabrizio, N. Pinilla-Alonso, J. de León, and E. Oliva Trans-Neptunian object (55636) 2002 TX₃₀₀ ,a fresh icy surface in the outer Solar System. A&A preprint [link]

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Large trans-Neptunian objects[http://encycl.opentopia.com/ edit ]

Kuiper belt: Pluto (Charon) | Orcus | Ixion | 2002 UX₂₅ | Varuna | 2002 TX₃₀₀ | 2003 EL₆₁ | Quaoar | 2005 FY₉ | 2002 AW₁₉₇

Scattered disc: 2002 TC₃₀₂ | 2003 UB₃₁₃ | 2004 XR₁₉₀ | Sedna†

See also Triton, astronomical objects and the solar system's list of objects, sorted by radius or mass.
For pronunciation, see: Centaur and TNO pronunciation.
† Current MPC classification. Some consider Sedna an Oort cloud object.

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For other objects and regions, see: , , asteroid moons and the Solar system For a complete listing, see: List of asteroids. See also Pronunciation of asteroid names and Meanings of asteroid names.

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Other: Sun - Moon>The Moon - Asteroid belt - Main-belt comets - Kuiper belt - Scattered disc - Oort cloud
See also astronomical objects and the solar system's list of objects, sorted by radius or mass.

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