Scientists confirm distance to farthest known solar system object
Scientists have now confirmed that the large asteroid dubbed Farfarout (about 250 miles across) is presently about 132 astronomical units from the Sun (about 12 billion miles), making it the farthest known solar system object.
Its orbit however is far from circular, and it isn’t presently even at its farthest point in that orbit.
[T]he orbit of Farfarout is quite elongated, taking it 175 au from the Sun at its farthest point and around 27 au at its closest, which is inside the orbit of Neptune. Because its orbit crosses Neptune’s, Farfarout could provide insights into the history of the outer Solar System. “Farfarout was likely thrown into the outer Solar System by getting too close to Neptune in the distant past,” said Trujillo. “Farfarout will likely interact with Neptune again in the future since their orbits still intersect.”
The astronomers expect to discover more such objects in the coming years that will even eclipse this one in distance.
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Scientists have now confirmed that the large asteroid dubbed Farfarout (about 250 miles across) is presently about 132 astronomical units from the Sun (about 12 billion miles), making it the farthest known solar system object.
Its orbit however is far from circular, and it isn’t presently even at its farthest point in that orbit.
[T]he orbit of Farfarout is quite elongated, taking it 175 au from the Sun at its farthest point and around 27 au at its closest, which is inside the orbit of Neptune. Because its orbit crosses Neptune’s, Farfarout could provide insights into the history of the outer Solar System. “Farfarout was likely thrown into the outer Solar System by getting too close to Neptune in the distant past,” said Trujillo. “Farfarout will likely interact with Neptune again in the future since their orbits still intersect.”
The astronomers expect to discover more such objects in the coming years that will even eclipse this one in distance.
Readers!
My annual February birthday fund-raising drive for Behind the Black is now over. Thank you to everyone who donated or subscribed. While not a record-setter, the donations were more than sufficient and slightly above average.
As I have said many times before, I can’t express what it means to me to get such support, especially as no one is required to pay anything to read my work. Thank you all again!
For those readers who like my work here at Behind the Black and haven't contributed so far, please consider donating or subscribing. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Is the Kuiper belt considered “in” the solar system? – I think so
Is the Oort Cloud considered “in” the solar system? – not?
Chris: The Kuiper Belt is in the solar system, and is defined as the belt of objects just beyond Neptune’s orbit. Farfarout is way beyond that, though not as far as the Oort Cloud.
The Oort Cloud is considered the outermost belt of objects that is part of the solar system. Its existence has never been proven, however, and is hypothesized solely by extrapolating outward the orbits of comets.
Who is responsible for that stupid name? (“Farfarout”)
There is an object called “Gna” that was discovered a while back that might give this a run for its money. Something I’ve been meaning to ask: In the Starflight Handbook, a star called DM 61 366 is said to come near us in a million years or so. Is this Gliese 710? Or could it be another? Also, the Centaur called Chiron might wind up moving to the inner solar system-you could write about that.
Wayne: The astronomers had earlier found an asteroid that was far out there, and named it Farout. Then they found this even farther out. Hence the name.
I like it. It has a sense of humor, and it describes the asteroid’s present situation nicely.
When to we get “FarFarFarOut?”
Who is responsible for that stupid name? (“Farfarout”)
James Cameron, because only a ship running on unobtainium can get there.
When I was much younger, I use to say “Far out man”. Now some has discovered “it”
When I was much younger, I use to say “Far out man”. Now someone has discovered “it”