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(119951) 2002 KX14

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(119951) 2002 KX14
2002 KX14 imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope on 7 April 2006
Discovery[1]
Discovered byChadwick A. Trujillo
Michael E. Brown
Discovery sitePalomar Obs.
Discovery date17 May 2002
Designations
2002 KX14
TNO[2] · classical (inner[3]: 55 /cold[4])
distant[1]
Orbital characteristics (barycentric)[5][2]
Epoch 25 February 2023 (JD 2460000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 2
Observation arc38.96 yr (14,230 d)
Earliest precovery date31 May 1984
Aphelion40.515 AU
Perihelion37.055 AU
38.785 AU
Eccentricity0.04461
241.39 yr (88,166 d)
270.086°
0° 0m 14.7s / day
Inclination0.403°
286.795°
≈ 30 May 2085[6]
±3.0 days[2]
73.695°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions(482.0±14.4 km) × (314.2±10.4 km) (projected)[4]
389.2±8.7 km (area equivalent)[4]
0.119±0.007[4]
Temperature30–50 K[4]
IR–RR (red)[7]: 304 
B−V=1.05±0.03[8]: 31 
V−R=0.61±0.02[8]: 31 
20.8[9]
4.862±0.038[10]
4.71[2]

(119951) 2002 KX14 (provisional designation 2002 KX14) is a trans-Neptunian object located in the inner classical Kuiper belt. It was discovered on 17 May 2002 by Michael E. Brown and Chad Trujillo during their search for bright, Pluto-sized Kuiper belt objects at Palomar Observatory. 2002 KX14 has been categorized as a dynamically "cold" classical Kuiper belt object (KBO) by some astronomers due to its nearly circular and low-inclination orbit, although this classification has been debated due to its location in the inner classical Kuiper belt. If 2002 KX14 does belong to the cold classical KBO population, then it would be one of the largest cold classical KBOs known. 2002 KX14 has a reddish surface and a flattened shape, with very little rotational variation in its brightness.[4] Due to the lack of variation in 2002 KX14's brightness as well as its location in a crowded field of stars, it is difficult to measure its rotation period, which remains unknown.[4]

History

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Discovery

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The 1.2-meter Samuel Oschin telescope that was used to discover 2002 KX14 at Palomar Observatory

2002 KX14 was discovered on 17 May 2002 by astronomers Chad Trujillo and Michael Brown at Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California, United States.[1] The discovery formed part of their Caltech Wide Area Sky Survey for bright, Pluto-sized Kuiper belt objects using the observatory's 1.22-meter (48 in) Samuel Oschin telescope with its wide-field CCD camera, which was operated jointly with the nightly Near Earth Asteroid Tracking program at Palomar.[11]: 100  This survey was responsible for the discovery of several other large objects beyond Neptune, which includes the dwarf planets Eris, Sedna, and Quaoar.[12]: 214 

2002 KX14 was found through manual vetting of potential moving objects identified by the team's automatic image-searching software.[11]: 101  It was detected at a red-filter apparent magnitude of 20.6, marginally brighter than the survey's limiting magnitude of 20.7.[11]: 99, 103  Follow-up observations were conducted one month later with Palomar Observatory's 1.52-meter (60 in) telescope on 13–14 June 2002.[13] The discovery was announced by the Minor Planet Center on 20 July 2002 and the object was given the minor planet provisional designation of 2002 KX14.[13]

Further observations

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After the publication of 2002 KX14's discovery, astronomers continued observing the object and identified additional observations from the time of or before its discovery.[14] In particular, 2002 KX14 had been identified in pre-discovery observations by the Cerro Tololo Observatory from August 2001 and the Siding Spring Observatory's Digitized Sky Survey from May 1984 and April 1993.[1] These additional observations helped reduce the uncertainty of 2002 KX14's orbit.[14] As of 2025, 2002 KX14 has been observed for over 38 years, or about 16% of its orbital period.[2][1]

Numbering and naming

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2002 KX14 received its permanent minor planet catalog number of 119951 from the Minor Planet Center on 16 November 2005.[15]: 71  As of yet, it remains unnamed and the discoverers' privilege for naming this object expired ten years after its numbering.[1][16]: 6  Per naming guidelines by the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature, 2002 KX14 is open for name suggestions that pertain to creation myths, as required for Kuiper belt objects in general.[16]: 8 

Orbit and classification

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Diagram of 2002 KX14's orbit

2002 KX14 is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) orbiting the Sun at a semi-major axis or average distance of 38.8 astronomical units (AU).[5][a] Its orbit is nearly circular with a low orbital eccentricity of 0.04.[5][4] In its 241-year-long orbit, 2002 KX14 comes within 37.1 AU from the Sun at perihelion and up to 40.5 AU at aphelion.[5] It has a low orbital inclination of 0.4° with respect to the ecliptic, closely aligned with the orbits of the Solar System's planets.[5] 2002 KX14 last passed perihelion in July 1840 and will make its next perihelion passage in May 2085.[18][6]

2002 KX14's orbit is not resonant with Neptune[19] and is located in the inner classical region of the Kuiper belt within 39.4 AU from the Sun, making it an inner classical Kuiper belt object (KBO).[3]: 53, 55  The 2:3 orbital resonance by Neptune (which contains the plutinos) separates the inner classical Kuiper belt from the main classical Kuiper belt (which spans 42–48 AU from the Sun).[3]: 53  2002 KX14's low orbital inclination and eccentricity qualifies it as a dynamically "cold" member of the classical Kuiper belt.[4] Cold classical KBOs are believed to be primordial planetesimals whose orbits have remained relatively unchanged since their formation, although this may not apply to the inner classical Kuiper belt.[4][8]: 30  Astronomer Esa Vilenius and collaborators argued that inner classical KBOs like 2002 KX14 more likely belong to the dynamically "hot" population of classical KBOs, especially if they have relatively large diameters.[10]: 2 [4] In contrast to cold classical KBOs, hot classical KBOs are typically found on inclined and eccentric orbits because they have been gravitationally scattered by Neptune's migration during the early Solar System.[4]

Physical characteristics

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Size and shape

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2002 KX14 is a highly flattened object with an equatorial diameter of 482.0 ± 14.4 km (299.5 ± 8.9 mi) and a projected polar diameter of 314.2 ± 10.4 km (195.2 ± 6.5 mi).[4] It is one of the largest known cold classical KBOs.[20]: 52 [21]: 732  The size and shape of 2002 KX14 was directly measured via observations of stellar occultations, which occur whenever the object passes in front of a background star and briefly blocks out its light. A 2025 study led by Juan Luis Rizos analyzed observations of five different 2002 KX14 occultations from May 2020 to July 2023 and found that the object's shape remained the same in all dates, indicating the object's shape does not vary significantly as it rotates. 2002 KX14's consistent shape alongside low brightness variations over time suggest that the object may be shaped like an oblate spheroid, whose equatorial axes are roughly equal to each other.[4]: 5  If 2002 KX14 is a Maclaurin spheroid (a self-gravitating fluid body in hydrostatic equilibrium) and has an average TNO rotation period of 7 hours, then it would have a density of 0.9 g/cm3.[4]: 5–6  However, this prediction for 2002 KX14's density cannot be confirmed as the object's rotation period is unknown and its true shape has not been confirmed.[4]: 6 

Rotation

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The rotation period of 2002 KX14 is unknown.[4] Astronomers have attempted to photometrically measure 2002 KX14's rotation period by monitoring changes in its brightness over time (light curves), but were unable to find any significant brightness variations exceeding 0.05 magnitudes.[4]: 6  If 2002 KX14 is spheroidal, its low brightness variations may be caused by surface albedo features rotating in and out of view.[4]: 5  The photometric measurement of 2002 KX14's rotation is further complicated by the object's location in the sky overlapping with the Milky Way's dense star fields, where background stars can obscure the object.[4]: 6 

Surface and spectrum

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The surface of 2002 KX14 is dark and reddish in visible light,[22]: 2  with a geometric albedo of 0.119.[4] In Barucci et al.'s classification scheme for TNO color indices, 2002 KX14 either belongs to the IR or RR group of TNOs with "red" colors, which are common within the classical Kuiper belt population.[7]: 304–305  Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy of 2002 KX14 by ground-based telescopes show that it has a featureless spectrum lacking absorption bands from materials such as ices.[22]: 2  The reddish color and featureless spectrum of 2002 KX14 indicates that its surface is probably covered with complex organic compounds (tholins) or silicates.[23] The red coloration of other TNOs is typically attributed to tholins on their surface, which are formed by the irradiation of ices and simple organic compounds by solar and cosmic radiation.[24]: 62 

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ These orbital elements are expressed in terms of the Solar System Barycenter (SSB) as the frame of reference.[5] Due to planetary perturbations, the Sun revolves around the SSB at non-negligible distances, so heliocentric-frame orbital elements and distances can vary in short timescales as shown in JPL-Horizons.[17]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "(119951) = 2002 KX14". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e "JPL Small-Body Database Lookup: 119951 (2002 KX14)" (2023-05-17 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Gladman, Brett; Marsden, Brian G.; VanLaerhoven, Christa (2008). "Nomenclature in the Outer Solar System" (PDF). The Solar System Beyond Neptune. University of Arizona Press. pp. 43–57. arXiv:astro-ph/0702538. Bibcode:2008ssbn.book...43G. ISBN 9780816527557. S2CID 14469199. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Rizos, J. L.; et al. (April 2025). "The Trans-Neptunian Object (119951) 2002 KX14 as revealed by multiple stellar occultations". Astronomy & Astrophysics. forthcoming. arXiv:2503.19179. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202554154.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 119951 (2002 KX14) at epoch JD 2460000.5". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 March 2025. Solution using the Solar System Barycenter. Ephemeris Type: Elements and Center: @0)
  6. ^ a b "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 119951 (2002 KX14) from 2085-May-15 to 2085-Jun-15". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 March 2025. (Perihelion occurs when deldot changes from negative to positive. Uncertainty in time of perihelion is 1-sigma from JPL Small-Body Database.)
  7. ^ a b Barucci, M. A.; Alvarez-Candal, A.; Merlin, F.; Belskaya, I. N.; de Bergh, C.; Perna, D.; et al. (July 2011). "New insights on ices in Centaur and Transneptunian populations" (PDF). Icarus. 214 (1): 297–307. Bibcode:2011Icar..214..297B. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2011.04.019. S2CID 120331897.
  8. ^ a b c Romanishin, W.; Tegler, S. C.; Consolmagno, G. J. (July 2010). "Colors of Inner Disk Classical Kuiper Belt Objects". The Astronomical Journal. 140 (1): 29–33. arXiv:1004.3059. Bibcode:2010AJ....140...29R. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/140/1/29. S2CID 51358164.
  9. ^ "(307261) 2002MS4 Ephemerides". Asteroids Dynamic Site. Department of Mathematics, University of Pisa, Italy. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  10. ^ a b Vilenius, E.; Kiss, C.; Mommert, M.; Müller, T.; Santos-Sanz, P.; Pal, A.; et al. (May 2012). ""TNOs are Cool": A survey of the trans-Neptunian region. VI. Herschel/PACS observations and thermal modeling of 19 classical Kuiper belt objects". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 541: 17. arXiv:1204.0697. Bibcode:2012A&A...541A..94V. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201118743. S2CID 54222700. A94.
  11. ^ a b c Trujillo, C. A.; Brown, M. E. (June 2003). "The Caltech Wide Area Sky Survey". Earth, Moon, and Planets. 92 (1): 99–112. Bibcode:2003EM&P...92...99T. doi:10.1023/B:MOON.0000031929.19729.a1. S2CID 189905639.
  12. ^ Schilling, Govert (2008). The Hunt For Planet X. Springer. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-387-77804-4.
  13. ^ a b Trujillo, C. A.; Jordan, A. B.; Brown, M. E.; Helin, E. F.; Pravdo, S.; Lawrence, K.; Hicks, M. (20 July 2002). "MPEC 2002-O29 : 2002 JR146, 2002 KW14, 2002 KX14, 2002 KY14". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. 2002-O29. Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  14. ^ a b Garradd, G. J.; McNaught, R. H.; Millis, R. L.; Buie, M. W.; Wasserman, L. H.; Kern, S. D.; et al. (23 April 2003). "MPEC 2003-H13 : 2002 KX14". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. 2003-H13. Minor Planet Center. Bibcode:2003MPEC....H...13G. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  15. ^ "M.P.C. 55541" (PDF). Minor Planet Circulars (55541). Minor Planet Center: 71. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Rules and Guidelines for Naming Non-Cometary Small Solar-System Bodies" (PDF). IAU Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  17. ^ "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 119951 (2002 KX14) at epochs JD 2450000.5–2460000.5". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 March 2025. Solution using the Sun. Ephemeris Type: Elements and Center: @sun)
  18. ^ "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris for 119951 (2002 KX14) from 1840-Jul-01 to 1840-Jul-30". JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 March 2025. (Perihelion occurs when deldot changes from negative to positive. Uncertainty in time of perihelion is 1-sigma from JPL Small-Body Database.)
  19. ^ Buie, Marc W. "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 119951". Southwest Research Institute. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  20. ^ Boehnhardt, H.; Schulz, D.; Protopapa, S.; Götz, C. (October 2014). "Photometry of Transneptunian Objects for the Herschel Key Program 'TNOs are Cool'". Earth, Moon, and Planets. 114 (1–2): 35–57. Bibcode:2014EM&P..114...35B. doi:10.1007/s11038-014-9450-x. S2CID 122628169.
  21. ^ Krivov, Alexander V.; Wyatt, D. (January 2021). "Solution to the debris disc mass problem: planetesimals are born small?". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 500 (1): 718–735. arXiv:2008.07406. Bibcode:2021MNRAS.500..718K. doi:10.1093/mnras/staa2385. S2CID 221139590.
  22. ^ a b Alvarez-Candal, A.; Ortiz, J. L.; Morales, N.; Jiménez-Teja, Y.; Duffard, R.; Sicardy, B.; et al. (November 2014). "Stellar occultation by (119951) 2002 KX14 on April 26, 2012". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 571: 8. Bibcode:2014A&A...571A..48A. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201424648. S2CID 121438213. A48.
  23. ^ Alvarez-Candal, A.; Ortiz, J. L.; Morales, N.; Duffard, R.; Pinilla-Alonso, N.; Littlefair, S.; et al. (September 2012). Stellar occultation by the trans-Neptunian object 2002 KX14 (PDF). Europlanet Science Congress 2012. Vol. 7. Madrid, Spain. Bibcode:2012epsc.conf..482A. EPSC2012-482.
  24. ^ Barkume, K. M.; Brown, M. E.; Schaller, E. L. (January 2008). "Near-Infrared Spectra of Centaurs and Kuiper Belt Objects". The Astronomical Journal. 135 (1): 55–67. Bibcode:2008AJ....135...55B. doi:10.1088/0004-6256/135/1/55. S2CID 12245232.
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