55565 Aya
(55565) Aya, temporary name 2002 AW197, is a classical trans-Neptunian object from the Kuiper belt. It has a diameter of at least 700 kilometers ( i. e 430 miles).[1] It is the largest planetoid without a moon. It was discovered at Palomar Observatory in 2002. It has a rotation period of 8.8 hours.[2]
Discovery
Aya was discovered on 10 January 2002, by astronomers at the Palomar Observatory in California.[3] Astronomers involved in the discovery were Michael Brown, Chad Trujillo, Eleanor Helin, Michael Hicks, Kenneth Lawrence and Steven H. Pravdo.[4]
Orbit
Aya orbits the Sun at a distance of 40.9–53.2 AU once every 322.6 years. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.13. It has an orbital inclination of 24°.[5]
55565 Aya Media
Diagram showing top and tilted views of the orbits of Aya (pink), Pluto (purple) and the outer planets
Comparison of sizes, albedos, and colors of various large trans-Neptunian objects with diameters greater than 700 km (430 mi). Aya is shown on the middle row, first from the right. The dark colored arcs represent uncertainties of the object's size.
Pair of far-infrared images of Aya by the Spitzer Space Telescope
References
- ↑ Astronomer Mike Brown. web.gps.caltech.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ↑ LCDB Data for (55565). www.minorplanet.info. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ↑ IAU Minor Planet Center. www.minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ↑ MPEC 2002-O30 : 2002 AW197. minorplanetcenter.net. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ↑ JPL Small-Body Database Browser. ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
