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Space & Astronomy

Dwarf planet is third largest in solar system

By T.K. Randall
May 12, 2016 · Comment icon 14 comments

2007 OR10 has turned out to be much larger than expected. Image Credit: NASA
Despite being comparable in size to Pluto and Eris, this enigmatic world has yet to even be given a name.
Currently known by its less-than-exciting designation 2007 OR10, this small, distant world is one of several trans-Neptunian objects discovered in the outer solar system over the last two decades.

Originally thought to be 1,200km in diameter, OR10 is so far out that it has proven difficult to measure and has long been considered one of the most distant objects in the solar system.

Now though, following a new analysis of data from the Kepler and Herschel space telescopes, this intriguing dwarf planet has turned out to be 1,535km across - much larger than previously thought.
This discovery puts OR10 in third place in terms of size behind Pluto and Eris.

The next step will be to determine what it is composed of and then to find it a proper name.

"All of the other objects out there we've named have had some sort of appropriate name based on some feature," said study team leader András Pál. "But we will learn more soon, I have hope."

Source: New Scientist | Comments (14)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #5 Posted by LV-426 8 years ago
I think LV-426 is far more catchy, but I might be biased...
Comment icon #6 Posted by Waspie_Dwarf 8 years ago
Nyx is the problem not Nix. Whilst that is a valid point, the bigger source of confusion would be having two Kuiper Belt objects named Nyx/Nix.
Comment icon #7 Posted by Eldorado 8 years ago
Whilst that is a valid point, the bigger source of confusion would be having two Kuiper Belt objects named Nyx/Nix. please ignore (I googled my question)
Comment icon #8 Posted by Taun 8 years ago
By all the authority vested in me - by no one in particular - I hereby dub this astronomical body .... "Bob"...
Comment icon #9 Posted by paperdyer 8 years ago
Let's see... We have Mercury, Venus, Mars, Pluto, Neptune. How about Thor or Odin. Maybe Loki. Let's get some Norse Gods in on this. Or some Greek ones - Athena, Apollo, Diana, Aphroditie.
Comment icon #10 Posted by keithisco 8 years ago
"Moony McMoonface"
Comment icon #11 Posted by third_eye 8 years ago
I'm still partial to and favorably embracing of "Bob" ~
Comment icon #12 Posted by DieChecker 8 years ago
I'm still partial to and favorably embracing of "Bob" ~ I only agree if the dwarf planet's surface is mostly yellow.
Comment icon #13 Posted by Waspie_Dwarf 8 years ago
"Moony McMoonface" It will probably end up called Sir David Attenborough.
Comment icon #14 Posted by DieChecker 8 years ago
It will probably end up called Sir David Attenborough. Maybe they can send a robot Attenborough there to do a documentary? The Japanese make very lifelike robots now.


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