(527604) 2007 VL305, provisional designation 2007 VL305, is an inclined Neptune trojan that shares Neptune's orbit in the L4 Lagrangian point. It was discovered on 4 November 2007, by astronomers Andrew Becker, Andrew Puckett and Jeremy Kubica at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico, United States, although images from 2005 have also been recovered.[2] It measures approximately 160 kilometers in diameter and was the sixth Neptune trojan to be discovered.[3] As of 2016[update], it is 34.1 AU from Neptune.[6]
| Discovery[1][2] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | A. C. Becker A. W. Puckett J. Kubica |
| Discovery site | Apache Point Obs. |
| Discovery date | 4 November 2007 |
| Designations | |
| (527604) 2007 VL305 | |
| 2007 VL305 | |
| Neptune trojan · L4[3] centaur[1] · distant[2] | |
| Orbital characteristics[1] | |
| Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 4 | |
| Observation arc | 5.19 yr (1,894 days) |
| Aphelion | 31.729 AU |
| Perihelion | 28.122 AU |
| 29.926 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.0603 |
| 163.71 yr (59,795 days) | |
| 10.760° | |
| 0° 0m 21.6s / day | |
| Inclination | 28.155° |
| 188.69° | |
| 216.70° | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| 110 km (est. at 0.10)[4] 160 km[5] | |
| 22.2[5] | |
| 7.9[1] | |
Orbit and classification
editNeptune trojans can be considered resonant trans-Neptunian objects in a 1:1 mean-motion orbital resonance with Neptune. These trojans have a semi-major axis and an orbital period very similar to Neptune's (30.10 AU; 164.8 years).
2007 VL305 belongs to the leading L4 group, which orbits 60° ahead of Neptune's orbit. It orbits the Sun with a semi-major axis of 29.926 AU at a distance of 28.1–31.7 AU once every 163 years and 9 months (59,795 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.06 and an inclination of 28° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] Its inclination is almost as high as that of 2011 HM102.[3]
Physical characteristics
editDiameter
editThe discoverers estimate that 2007 VL305 has a mean diameter of 160 kilometers based on a magnitude of 22.2.[5] Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, it measures approximately 110 kilometers in diameter using an absolute magnitude of 7.9 with an assumed albedo of 0.10.[4]
Numbering and naming
editThis minor planet was numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 18 May 2019 (M.P.C. 114650).[7] As of 2019, it has not been named.[2] If named, it will follow the naming scheme already established with 385571 Otrera and 385695 Clete, which is to name these objects after figures related to the Amazons, an all-female warrior tribe that fought in the Trojan War on the side of the Trojans against the Greek.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2007 VL305)" (2011-01-10 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ a b c d "2007 VL305". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ a b c "List Of Neptune Trojans". Minor Planet Center. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS/JPL. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ a b c Lakdawalla, Emily (13 August 2010). "2008 LC15, the first Trojan asteroid discovered in Neptune's L5 point". The Planetary Society. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- ^ 2007 VL305 at JPL Horizons Change "Observer Location" to @Neptune
- ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- ^ Ticha, J.; et al. (10 April 2018). "DIVISION F / Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature. THE TRIENNIAL REPORT (2015 Sept 1 - 2018 Feb 15)" (PDF). IAU. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
External links
edit- MPEC 2008-E44 : 2007 VL305
- AstDys-2 about 2007 VL305
- (527604) 2007 VL305 at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
- (527604) 2007 VL305 at the JPL Small-Body Database