2005 TN53
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is an inclined Neptune trojan leading Neptune's orbit in the outer Solar System, approximately 80 kilometers in diameter. It was first observed on 7 October 2005, by American astronomers Scott Sheppard and Chad Trujillo at Las Campanas Observatory in the Atacama desert of Chile. It was the third such body to be discovered, and the first with a significant orbital inclination, which showed that the population as a whole is very dynamically excited.


Orbit and classification

Neptune trojans are resonant trans-Neptunian objects (TNO) in a Resonant trans-Neptunian object#1:1, 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). belongs to the larger group, which leads 60Degree (angle), ° ahead Neptune's orbit. It orbits the Sun with a semi-major axis of 30.014 Astronomical unit, AU at a distance of 28.1–31.9 AU once every 164 years and 5 months (60,059 days). Its orbit has an orbital eccentricity, eccentricity of 0.06 and an orbital inclination, inclination of 25Degree (angle), ° with respect to the ecliptic. It has the same orbital period as Neptune and orbits at the Lagrangian point about 60Degree (angle), ° ahead of Neptune. It has an inclination of 25 degrees.


Physical characteristics


Diameter

The discoverers estimate that has a mean-diameter of 80 kilometers based on a Magnitude (astronomy), magnitude of 23.7. Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, it measures approximately 68 kilometers in diameter using an absolute magnitude of 9.0 and an assumed Astronomical albedo, albedo of 0.10.


Numbering and naming

Due to its Uncertainty parameter, orbital uncertainty, this minor planet has not been numbered and its official List of minor planet discoverers, discoverers have not been determined. If named, it will follow the naming scheme already established with 385571 Otrera, 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.


References


External links


Three New "Trojan" Asteroids Found Sharing Neptune's Orbit
by Scott S. Sheppard (includes image of ) *
AstDys-2
about * * {{DEFAULTSORT:2005 TN53 Neptune trojans, # Minor planet object articles (unnumbered) Discoveries by Chad Trujillo, # Discoveries by Scott S. Sheppard, # Astronomical objects discovered in 2005, 20051007