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Objects Encyclopedia Entry 1783211446

** The **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) 2007 OR10**, also known as **Eris' cousin**, is a large, icy celestial body located in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**. ## Overview The **Kuiper Belt** is a region of the **Solar System** that contains a vast array of small, icy bodies and other celestial objects. These objects are remnants from the formation of the **Solar System** and are thought to be the building blocks of the planets. **2007 OR10**, also known as **Eris' cousin**, is a notable member of this region, with a diameter of approximately 1,100 kilometers (683 miles). This object is a **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)**, a category of celestial bodies that are found in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**. **2007 OR10** was discovered on July 26, 2007, by astronomers using the **Palomar Observatory** in California. The object was initially thought to be a **dwarf planet**, but its size and mass were later determined to be smaller than those of **Pluto**. Despite this, **2007 OR10** is still a significant object in the **Kuiper Belt**, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the **Solar System**. ## History/Background The discovery of **2007 OR10** marked a significant milestone in the study of the **Kuiper Belt**. Prior to its discovery, the **Kuiper Belt** was thought to be a relatively empty region of the **Solar System**. However, the discovery of **2007 OR10** and other similar objects has revealed a complex and dynamic region that is home to a wide range of celestial bodies. The **Kuiper Belt** is thought to be a remnant of the **Solar Nebula**, a cloud of gas and dust that formed the **Solar System**. Over time, the **Solar Nebula** collapsed under its own gravity, with the formation of the **Sun** and the **planets**. The remaining material in the **Solar Nebula** was ejected into the outer reaches of the **Solar System**, where it formed the **Kuiper Belt**. ## Key Information **2007 OR10** is a **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)** with a diameter of approximately 1,100 kilometers (683 miles). Its mass is estimated to be around 1.6 x 10^22 kilograms, which is significantly smaller than that of **Pluto**. The object's surface is thought to be composed primarily of water ice, with a possible layer of darker material on top. **2007 OR10** has a highly eccentric orbit, which takes it from a distance of 45 astronomical units (AU) from the **Sun** to a distance of 29 AU from the **Sun**. One astronomical unit is the average distance between the **Earth** and the **Sun**. The object's orbit is also tilted at an angle of 20 degrees relative to the **Ecliptic**, which is the plane of the **Solar System**. ## Significance The discovery of **2007 OR10** has significant implications for our understanding of the **Solar System**. The object's size and mass are smaller than those of **Pluto**, which has led to a reevaluation of the definition of a **dwarf planet**. The discovery of **2007 OR10** also highlights the complexity and diversity of the **Kuiper Belt**, which is thought to be a remnant of the **Solar Nebula**. The study of **2007 OR10** and other **Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs)** has also provided valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the **Solar System**. The objects in the **Kuiper Belt** are thought to be the building blocks of the planets, and their study can provide clues about the early history of the **Solar System**. INFOBOX: - **Name:** 2007 OR10 - **Type:** Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) - **Date:** July 26, 2007 - **Location:** Outer reaches of the Solar System - **Known For:** Discovery of a large, icy KBO in the Kuiper Belt TAGS: **Kuiper Belt**, **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)**, **Solar System**, **Astronomy**, **Astrophysics**, **Dwarf Planet**, **Pluto**, **Solar Nebula**, **Ecliptic**, **Orbit**, **Water Ice**, **Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs)**.