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.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
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.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
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”