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Objects Encyclopedia Entry 1779752464

** 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. ## 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 they provide valuable insights into its early history. **2007 OR10**, also known as **Eris-like object 2007 OR10**, is one such KBO that has garnered significant attention due to its unique characteristics. Located approximately 65 astronomical units (AU) from the **Sun**, **2007 OR10** is a small, icy world with a diameter of approximately 475 kilometers (295 miles). Its surface is composed primarily of water ice mixed with darker organic material, which gives it a reddish hue. This object is of particular interest to astronomers due to its similarities to **Eris**, a dwarf planet discovered in 2005. ## History/Background **2007 OR10** was discovered on July 17, 2007, by astronomers at the **Palomar Observatory** in California, using the **Palomar 1.5-meter telescope**. The object was initially classified as a **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)**, but further observations revealed that it had a highly eccentric orbit, which took it as close as 30 AU from the **Sun** and as far as 80 AU from the **Sun**. This unusual orbit led astronomers to reclassify **2007 OR10** as a **Kuiper Belt Object with a highly eccentric orbit**. ## Key Information **2007 OR10** has several notable features that make it an interesting object of study: * **Size**: With a diameter of approximately 475 kilometers (295 miles), **2007 OR10** is one of the larger KBOs discovered to date. * **Orbit**: Its highly eccentric orbit takes it from 30 AU to 80 AU from the **Sun**, making it one of the most extreme KBOs known. * **Surface composition**: **2007 OR10** has a surface composed primarily of water ice mixed with darker organic material, which gives it a reddish hue. * **Albedo**: The object's albedo (reflectivity) is relatively low, indicating that it has a dark surface. ## Significance **2007 OR10** is significant for several reasons: * **Understanding the Kuiper Belt**: The study of **2007 OR10** and other KBOs helps us understand the formation and evolution of the **Kuiper Belt**, a region that is thought to be a reservoir for short-period comets. * **Insights into the early Solar System**: The study of KBOs like **2007 OR10** provides valuable insights into the early history of the **Solar System**, including the formation of the planets and the distribution of matter in the early Solar System. * **Potential for future exploration**: **2007 OR10** is a potential target for future space missions, which could provide valuable insights into the composition and structure of KBOs. INFOBOX: - Name: **2007 OR10** (Eris-like object 2007 OR10) - Type: **Kuiper Belt Object (KBO)** - Date: **July 17, 2007** (discovery date) - Location: **Outer reaches of the Solar System** (approximately 65 AU from the Sun) - Known For: **Highly eccentric orbit and reddish hue** TAGS: **Kuiper Belt Object, Eris-like object, highly eccentric orbit, reddish hue, water ice, organic material, Solar System, early history, space exploration**