Results for "**Scattered Disc**"
Objects Encyclopedia Entry 1778673424
** **Kuiper Belt Object 2007 OR10**, a small, icy world located in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**, offers insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood. ## Overview Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) 2007 OR10 is a small, icy world discovered in 2007 by astronomers using the **Palomar Observatory** in California, USA. This object is part of the **Kuiper Belt**, a region of icy bodies, asteroids, and other small celestial objects beyond the **Orbital Zone** of Neptune. 2007 OR10 is one of the many KBOs that have been discovered in recent years, providing a unique opportunity to study the formation and evolution of our **Solar System**. 2007 OR10 is a fascinating object, with a highly eccentric orbit that takes it from 28 to 48 astronomical units (AU) from the **Sun**. One astronomical unit is the average distance between the **Earth** and the **Sun**. This object's orbit is influenced by the gravitational pull of the **Jupiter** and **Neptune**, which helps to maintain its highly eccentric path. The surface temperature of 2007 OR10 is estimated to be around -230°C (-382°F), making it one of the coldest objects in our **Solar System**. ## History/Background The discovery of 2007 OR10 was announced on July 30, 2007, by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown from the **California Institute of Technology**. The object was initially detected using the **Palomar Observatory's 1.2-meter Schmidt Telescope**. Further observations were made using the **Hubble Space Telescope** and other ground-based telescopes to confirm the object's existence and determine its orbit. The discovery of 2007 OR10 was significant, as it provided new insights into the formation and evolution of the **Kuiper Belt**. The object's highly eccentric orbit suggests that it may have originated from the **Scattered Disc**, a region of the **Solar System** that contains objects with highly eccentric orbits. The discovery of 2007 OR10 also raised questions about the **Solar System's** early history, including the formation of the **Kuiper Belt** and the role of **Jupiter** and **Neptune** in shaping the **Solar System**. ## Key Information * **Diameter:** approximately 600 kilometers (373 miles) * **Orbital Period:** 288 Earth years * **Surface Temperature:** estimated to be around -230°C (-382°F) * **Composition:** primarily composed of water ice, with possible presence of darker organic material * **Orbital Eccentricity:** highly eccentric, with a perihelion of 28 AU and an aphelion of 48 AU ## Significance The discovery of 2007 OR10 has significant implications for our understanding of the **Solar System**. The object's highly eccentric orbit provides insights into the formation and evolution of the **Kuiper Belt**, while its composition offers clues about the early history of the **Solar System**. The study of 2007 OR10 and other KBOs has also raised questions about the possibility of **comets** and **asteroids** originating from the **Kuiper Belt**. INFOBOX: - **Name:** 2007 OR10 - **Type:** Kuiper Belt Object - **Date:** July 30, 2007 (discovery) - **Location:** Outer reaches of the Solar System - **Known For:** Highly eccentric orbit and icy composition TAGS: **Kuiper Belt**, **Kuiper Belt Object**, **2007 OR10**, **Solar System**, **Astronomy**, **Space Exploration**, **Comets**, **Asteroids**, **Scattered Disc**, **Palomar Observatory**
Space & AstronomyObjects Encyclopedia Entry 1780330325
** The **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) 2007 OR10** is a small, icy celestial body located in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood. ## Overview Deep within the **Kuiper Belt**, a region of icy bodies and other small celestial objects beyond the **Orbital Zone** of the **Solar System**, lies the fascinating **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) 2007 OR10**. This enigmatic world, discovered in 2007, has captivated astronomers and space enthusiasts alike with its unique characteristics and the secrets it holds about the early days of our **Solar System**. With a diameter of approximately 700 kilometers, 2007 OR10 is one of the largest known **Kuiper Belt Objects**, and its study has significantly contributed to our understanding of the **Solar System's** outer reaches. ## History/Background The discovery of 2007 OR10 is attributed to the **Palomar Observatory's** 1.2-meter Schmidt Telescope, which was used to scan the skies for faint, distant objects. The object was first detected on July 17, 2007, by a team of astronomers led by Mike Brown, a renowned expert in **Kuiper Belt Objects**. Initially designated as 2007 OR10, the object was later confirmed to be a **Kuiper Belt Object** through a series of observations and orbital calculations. Since its discovery, 2007 OR10 has been the subject of extensive study, including observations by the **Hubble Space Telescope** and the **Spitzer Space Telescope**. ## Key Information **2007 OR10** is a **Kuiper Belt Object**, a type of celestial body that resides in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**. Its highly eccentric orbit takes it from a distance of approximately 45 astronomical units (AU) from the **Sun** to a perihelion of about 28 AU. This unusual orbit suggests that 2007 OR10 may have originated from the **Scattered Disc**, a region of the **Solar System** thought to be a reservoir of small, icy bodies that were perturbed from the **Kuiper Belt** by the gravitational influence of the **Jupiter** and other giant planets. The surface of 2007 OR10 is likely composed of water ice mixed with darker organic material, which may have been delivered by comets and other small celestial bodies. ## Significance The study of **2007 OR10** has significant implications for our understanding of the **Solar System's** formation and evolution. The object's unique orbit and composition provide valuable insights into the processes that shaped the outer reaches of our cosmic neighborhood. Furthermore, the discovery of 2007 OR10 has contributed to the understanding of the **Kuiper Belt** as a reservoir of small, icy bodies that may have delivered water and organic material to the early **Solar System**. As we continue to explore and study the **Kuiper Belt** and its inhabitants, we may uncover more secrets about the origins of our **Solar System** and the mysteries of the cosmos. INFOBOX: - **Name:** 2007 OR10 - **Type:** Kuiper Belt Object - **Date:** July 17, 2007 (discovery) - **Location:** Outer reaches of the Solar System - **Known For:** One of the largest known KBOs, unique orbit and composition TAGS: **Kuiper Belt Object**, **Solar System**, **Kuiper Belt**, **Scattered Disc**, **Jupiter**, **Comets**, **Astronomy**, **Space Exploration**, **Cosmology**