(501581) 2014 OB₃₉₄, provisional designation 2014 OB₃₉₄, is a trans-Neptunian object from the outermost region of the Solar System, approximately 260 kilometers (160 miles) in diameter. It was discovered on 25 August 2012, by astronomers with the Pan-STARRS survey at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, United States.[1] The weak dwarf planet candidate was numbered in 2017 and remains without a name.

Orbit and classification

2014 OB₃₉₄ orbits the Sun at a distance of 35.0–58.2 AU once every 318 years and 5 months (116,302 days; semi-major axis of 46.63 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.25 and an inclination of 21° with respect to the ecliptic.[2] The body's observation arc begins with its official discovery observation at Haleakala Observatory in August 2012.[1]

Numbering and naming

This minor planet was numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 5 October 2017 and received the number 501581 in the minor planet catalog (M.P.C. 106397).[5] As of 2018, it has not been named.[1]

Physical characteristics

According to American astronomer Michael Brown and the Johnston's archive, 2014 OB₃₉₄ measures 255 and 267 kilometers in diameter based on an assumed albedo of 0.08 and 0.09, respectively.[3][4] On his website, Brown lists this object as a "possible" dwarf planet (200–400 km), which is the category with the lowest certainty in his 5-class taxonomic system.[4] As of 2018, no spectral type and color indices, nor a rotational lightcurve have been obtained from spectroscopic and photometric observations. The body's color, rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[2][6]

References

External links

• MPEC 2016-O53 : 2014 OB394, Minor Planet Electronic Circular, 16 July 2017
• M.P.E.C. statistics for F51 – All MPECs
• List of Transneptunian Objects, Minor Planet Center
• Discovery Circumstances: Numbered Minor Planets (500001)-(505000) – Minor Planet Center
• (501581) 2014 OB394 at AstDyS-2, Asteroids—Dynamic Site
  • Ephemeris · Observation prediction · Orbital info · Proper elements · Observational info
• (501581) 2014 OB394 at the JPL Small-Body Database
  • Close approach · Discovery · Ephemeris · Orbit diagram · Orbital elements · Physical parameters