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Objects Encyclopedia Entry 1781764207

** The **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) 2007 OR10** is a small, icy celestial body located in the outer reaches of the **Solar System**, discovered in 2007 by astronomers using the **Palomar Observatory**. ## Overview The **Kuiper Belt** is a region of our **Solar System** that contains a vast array of small, icy bodies, including dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets. These objects are remnants from the formation of the **Solar System** and are thought to be the building blocks of the planets. **2007 OR10** is one of the many KBOs discovered in recent years, and its unique characteristics make it an interesting subject of study for astronomers. **2007 OR10** was discovered on July 17, 2007, by astronomers using the **Palomar Observatory** in California, USA. The object was initially identified as a KBO due to its highly eccentric orbit, which takes it from 29 to 47 astronomical units (AU) from the **Sun**. One astronomical unit is the average distance between the **Earth** and the **Sun**. ## History/Background The discovery of **2007 OR10** was made possible by advances in telescope technology and survey techniques. The **Palomar Observatory** is a 1.2-meter telescope that uses a combination of optical and infrared detectors to study the night sky. In the early 2000s, astronomers began using the **Palomar Observatory** to conduct a survey of the **Kuiper Belt**, searching for new KBOs. The discovery of **2007 OR10** was announced on July 20, 2007, and was initially reported as a KBO with a highly eccentric orbit. Further observations revealed that the object was a small, icy body with a diameter of approximately 600 kilometers (373 miles). **2007 OR10** is one of the largest KBOs discovered to date, and its size and shape make it an interesting subject of study for astronomers. ## Key Information **2007 OR10** is a KBO with a highly eccentric orbit, which takes it from 29 to 47 astronomical units (AU) from the **Sun**. The object's orbit is highly inclined, with an inclination of 24 degrees relative to the **Ecliptic** (the plane of the **Earth**'s orbit). **2007 OR10** is thought to be a small, icy body with a diameter of approximately 600 kilometers (373 miles). **2007 OR10** has a highly reflective surface, with an albedo (reflectivity) of 0.1. This suggests that the object's surface is composed of water ice mixed with darker organic material. The object's surface temperature varies greatly depending on its distance from the **Sun**, ranging from -230°C to -170°C (-382°F to -274°F). ## Significance The discovery of **2007 OR10** has significant implications for our understanding of the **Kuiper Belt** and the formation of the **Solar System**. **2007 OR10** is one of the largest KBOs discovered to date, and its size and shape make it an interesting subject of study for astronomers. **2007 OR10** is also thought to be a potential source of water and organic material for the **Solar System**. The object's highly reflective surface suggests that it may be composed of water ice mixed with darker organic material, which could be delivered to the **Inner Solar System** through collisions with other objects. INFOBOX: - **Name:** 2007 OR10 - **Type:** Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) - **Date:** July 17, 2007 - **Location:** Outer reaches of the **Solar System** - **Known For:** Highly eccentric orbit and highly reflective surface TAGS: **Kuiper Belt**, **Solar System**, **Astronomy**, **Space Exploration**, **Kuiper Belt Object**, **Dwarf Planet**, **Asteroid**, **Comet**, **Palomar Observatory**, **Telescope**, **Space Science**.