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Objects Encyclopedia Entry 1778620684

** The **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)** 2007 OR10 is a small, 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 large number of small, icy bodies, including dwarf **planets** like **Pluto**. These objects are remnants from the formation of the **Solar System** and are thought to be the building blocks of the planets. One of these objects is 2007 OR10, a **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)** that was discovered in 2007 by the **Palomar Observatory** in California. 2007 OR10 is a small, icy world with a highly eccentric orbit that takes it from 28 to 45 astronomical units (AU) from the **Sun**. One astronomical unit is the average distance between the **Earth** and the **Sun**, which is about 93 million miles or 149.6 million kilometers. This object is about 280 kilometers in diameter, making it one of the smaller **KBOs**. ## History/Background The discovery of 2007 OR10 was announced on August 26, 2007, by the **Minor Planet Center**. The object was discovered using a 1.2-meter telescope at the **Palomar Observatory** in California. The discovery was made by a team of astronomers led by **Michael Brown**, a renowned expert on **Kuiper Belt Objects**. ## Key Information 2007 OR10 is a small, icy world with a highly eccentric orbit. Its surface is thought to be composed of water ice mixed with darker organic material. The object's highly eccentric orbit takes it from the **Kuiper Belt** to the **outer reaches of the Solar System**, where it is thought to interact with the **Oort Cloud**, a region of icy bodies that surrounds the **Solar System**. One of the most interesting aspects of 2007 OR10 is its highly reflective surface. The object's surface is thought to be composed of water ice, which is highly reflective and gives the object a bright appearance. This is in contrast to other **KBOs**, which are often darker and more reddish in color. ## Significance The discovery of 2007 OR10 has provided valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the **Solar System**. The object's highly eccentric orbit and highly reflective surface make it an interesting target for further study. The object's surface is thought to be composed of water ice mixed with darker organic material, which is a common feature of many **KBOs**. The discovery of 2007 OR10 has also highlighted the importance of continued exploration of the **Solar System**. The object's highly eccentric orbit takes it from the **Kuiper Belt** to the **outer reaches of the Solar System**, where it is thought to interact with the **Oort Cloud**. This region of the **Solar System** is thought to be a reservoir of icy bodies that can be perturbed into orbits that bring them closer to the **Sun**, potentially leading to the formation of **comets**. INFOBOX: - **Name:** 2007 OR10 - **Type:** **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)** - **Date:** August 26, 2007 (discovery) - **Location:** **Kuiper Belt** - **Known For:** Highly reflective surface and highly eccentric orbit TAGS: **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)**, **Solar System**, **Pluto**, **Palomar Observatory**, **Minor Planet Center**, **Michael Brown**, **Oort Cloud**, **Comets**, **Astronomy**, **Space Exploration**