2010 RF43

2010 RF43 is a trans-Neptunian object of the scattered disc orbiting in the outermost regions of the Solar System. It measures approximately 650 kilometers (400 mi) in diameter and is a strong dwarf-planet candidate. The object was first observed on 9 September 2010, by American astronomers David Rabinowitz, Megan Schwamb and Suzanne Tourtellotte at ESO's La Silla Observatory in northern Chile.[1]

2010 RF43
Discovery [1][2]
Discovered byD. L. Rabinowitz
M. Schwamb
S. Tourtellotte
Discovery siteLa Silla Obs.
Discovery date6 September 2010
(first observed only)
Designations
2010 RF43
TNO [3][4] · SDO [5]
p-DP [6] · distant [1]
Orbital characteristics [3]
Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 2
Observation arc44.00 yr (16,071 days)
Aphelion61.903 AU
Perihelion37.482 AU
49.692 AU
Eccentricity0.2457
350.30 yr (127,948 d)
97.520°
0° 0m 10.08s / day
Inclination30.638°
25.320°
193.480°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
636 km (estimate)[7]
643 km (estimate)[6]
≈735 km (estimate)[4]
0.09 (assumed)[4]
0.10 (assumed)[7]
0.11 (assumed)[6]
3.9[3] · 4.0[6] · 4.1[7]

    Orbit and classification

    2010 RF43 orbits the Sun at a distance of 37.5–61.9 AU once every 350 years and 4 months (127,948 days; semi-major axis of 49.7 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.25 and an inclination of 31° with respect to the ecliptic.[3] The body's observation arc begins with a precovery observation taken at Siding Spring Observatory in August 1976.[1]

    Due to its relatively high eccentricity and inclination, it is an object of the scattered disc rather than one of the regular Kuiper belt.[2][8] Its perihelion of 37.5 AU is also too low to make it a detached object, which typically stay above 40 AU and never come close to the orbit of Neptune.

    Physical characteristics

    Diameter and albedo

    Based on an absolute magnitude of 3.9,[3] and an assumed albedo of 0.09, the Johnston's archive estimates a mean-diameter of approximately 735 kilometers (457 mi),[4] while astronomer Michael Brown assumes an albedo of 0.11 and calculates a diameter of 643 kilometers (400 mi) using a fainter magnitude of 4.0. Brown also characterizes the object as a "highly likely dwarf planet", the second-highest level in his classification scheme (also see list of candidates).[6]

    The Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link assumes an albedo of 0.10 and calculates a diameter of 636 kilometers (395 mi) based on an absolute magnitude of 4.1.[7]

    Rotation period

    As of 2020, no rotational lightcurve of this object has been obtained from photometric observations. The object's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[3][7]

    Numbering and naming

    As of 2020, this minor planet has not been numbered or named.[1]

    References
    1. "2010 RF43". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
    2. "List Of Centaurs and Scattered-Disk Objects". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
    3. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2010 RF43)" (2020-08-19 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
    4. Johnston, Wm. Robert (18 August 2020). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
    5. Buie, Marc W. "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 10RF43". SwRI (Space Science Department). Retrieved 23 February 2018.
    6. Brown, Michael E. "How many dwarf planets are there in the outer solar system?". California Institute of Technology. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
    7. "LCDB Data for (2010+RF43)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 22 August 2020.
    8. "List Of Transneptunian Objects". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 22 August 2020.

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