2001 QW322

2001 QW322 is a binary minor planet and cubewano in the Kuiper belt. The object was discovered at Mauna Kea on 27 July 2001 by JJ Kavelaars, J.-M. Petit, B. Gladman, and M. Holman. Later in 2001, J. Kavelaars discovered that it is a binary. The components are estimated at about 130 km in diameter.

2001 QW322
Discovery[1]
Discovered by
  • JJ Kavelaars
  • J.-M. Petit
  • B. Gladman
  • M. Holman
Discovery siteMauna Kea Observatory
Discovery date27 July 2001
Designations
2001 QW322
Orbital characteristics[4]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 5
Observation arc1176 days (3.22 yr)
Aphelion45.117 AU (6.7494 Tm)
Perihelion42.590 AU (6.3714 Tm)
43.854 AU (6.5605 Tm)
Eccentricity0.028818
290.41 yr (106,074 d)
124.40°
0° 0m 12.218s / day
Inclination4.8154°
124.72°
71.945°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions180 km[1]
7.8[4]

    In 2008, work was published showing that the binary has an extraordinarily long orbital period (for a binary trans-Neptunian object, asteroid or minor planet) of some 25–30 years.[5] The orbital radius is also remarkably high (105,000 to 135,000 km) while the eccentricity is unusually low (< 0.4). All of these parameters are in the extremes of their normal ranges for such objects.[5] The wide spacing and low eccentricity conspire to make the system prone to disruption, and its lifetime is estimated to be in the order of another billion years.[5]

    References
    1. "Asteroids with Satellites Database-2001 QW322". Johnston's Archive. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
    2. Marc W. Buie. "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 01QW322". SwRI (Space Science Department). Retrieved 17 February 2018.
    3. Wm. Robert Johnston (22 August 2008). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 17 December 2006.
    4. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2001 QW322)" (2004-10-15 last obs). Retrieved 30 March 2016.
    5. Petit, J.-M.; Kavelaars, J. J.; Gladman, B. J.; Margot, J. L.; Nicholson, P. D.; Jones, R. L.; Parker, J. Wm.; Ashby, M. L. N.; Bagatin, A. C.; = Benavidez, P.; Coffey, J.; Rousselot, P.; Mousis, O.; Taylor, P. A. (2008). "The Extreme Kuiper Belt Binary 2001 QW322". Science. 322 (5900): 432–4. Bibcode:2008Sci...322..432P. doi:10.1126/science.1163148. PMID 18927391.


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