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Objects Encyclopedia Entry 1779162425

** The **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)** 2007 OR10 is a small, icy celestial body located in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**. ## Overview Deep within the **Kuiper Belt**, a region of icy bodies and other small celestial objects beyond the **Orbital Zone** of the **Pluto**, lies the **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)** 2007 OR10. This fascinating object was discovered on July 30, 2007, by the **Palomar Observatory** using the **Palomar 1.5-meter Telescope**. The discovery of 2007 OR10 has provided valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the **Solar System**. 2007 OR10 is a small, icy world with a diameter of approximately 615 kilometers (382 miles). Its surface is composed primarily of water ice mixed with darker organic material, which gives it a reddish hue. The object's highly eccentric orbit takes it as close as 29 astronomical units (AU) from the **Sun** and as far as 47 AU from the **Sun**. One astronomical unit is the average distance between the **Earth** and the **Sun**. ## History/Background The discovery of 2007 OR10 is a significant milestone in the exploration 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 KBOs has revealed a complex and dynamic environment with a diverse range of objects. The **Kuiper Belt** is a region of the **Solar System** that extends from the **Orbital Zone** of the **Pluto** at 30 AU to a distance of 55 AU from the **Sun**. It is thought to be a reservoir of small, icy bodies that were left over from the formation of the **Solar System**. The **Kuiper Belt** is also believed to be the source of short-period **Comets**, which are objects that originate from the **Oort Cloud** and are perturbed into the inner **Solar System**. ## Key Information 2007 OR10 is a fascinating object that has provided valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the **Solar System**. Some of the key information about 2007 OR10 includes: * **Orbital Period**: 284 years * **Eccentricity**: 0.25 * **Surface Temperature**: -230°C (-382°F) * **Composition**: Water ice mixed with darker organic material * **Diameter**: 615 kilometers (382 miles) ## Significance The discovery of 2007 OR10 has significant implications for our understanding of the **Solar System**. It has provided valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the **Kuiper Belt** and the **Oort Cloud**. The study of 2007 OR10 and other KBOs has also revealed the complex and dynamic nature of the **Kuiper Belt**, which is thought to be a reservoir of small, icy bodies. INFOBOX: - **Name**: 2007 OR10 - **Type**: **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)** - **Date**: July 30, 2007 - **Location**: **Kuiper Belt** - **Known For**: Discovery of a small, icy KBO with a highly eccentric orbit TAGS: **Kuiper Belt**, **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)**, **Solar System**, **Orbital Zone**, **Pluto**, **Palomar Observatory**, **Palomar 1.5-meter Telescope**, **Water Ice**, **Organic Material**, **Eccentric Orbit**, **Solar System Formation**, **Oort Cloud**.