(131697) 2001 XH255

(131697) 2001 XH255, provisionally known as 2001 XH255, is a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) that has a 4:5 resonance with Neptune.[2]

(131697) 2001 XH255
Discovery[1]
Discovered by
  • Kleyna, J.
  • Sheppard, S. S.
  • Jewitt, D. C.
Discovery date11 December 2001
Designations
(131697) 2001 XH255
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 13 January 2016 (JD 2457400.5)
Uncertainty parameter 3
Observation arc4110 days (11.25 yr)
Aphelion37.907 AU (5.6708 Tm) (Q)
Perihelion32.339 AU (4.8378 Tm) (q)
35.123 AU (5.2543 Tm) (a)
Eccentricity0.079253 (e)
208.16 yr (76030.5 d)
318.51° (M)
0° 0m 17.046s / day (n)
Inclination2.8512° (i)
323.17° (Ω)
217.87° (ω)
Earth MOID31.3433 AU (4.68889 Tm)
Jupiter MOID26.8986 AU (4.02397 Tm)
Physical characteristics
Dimensions100 km (assumed)[4]
0.09 (assumed)
23.6[5]
8.2[1]

    It will come to perihelion in 2041.[1]

    Assuming a generic TNO albedo of 0.09, it is about 100 km in diameter.[4]

    Resonance

    According to the Deep Ecliptic Survey and Minor Planet Center, (131697) 2001 XH255 has a 4:5 resonance with Neptune.[2][3] It comes as close as 32.2 AU from the Sun and has a fairly low orbital eccentricity of 0.07 with an inclination of only 2.86 degrees.[1]

    The Neptune 4:5 resonance keeps it more than 7 AU from Neptune over a 14000-year period.[6]

    It has been observed 21 times over 5 oppositions and has an orbit quality code of 3.[1]

    The libration of 2001 XH255. Jupiter in red, Saturn in yellow, and Uranus in blue. Neptune is the white dot at 5 o'clock.

    Potential for Exploration

    A NASA study in 2019 that confirmed the viability of using small radioisotope or nuclear fission power systems combined with xenon electric propulsion for deep space exploration, used 2001 XH255 as a representative Kuiper Belt Object as the mission's destination to orbit.[7]

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    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 131697 (2001 XH255)" (last observation: 2006-01-29). Retrieved 7 April 2016.
    2. Marc W. Buie. "Orbit Fit and Astrometric record for 131697" (2006-01-29 using 19 observations). SwRI (Space Science Department). Retrieved 1 February 2009.
    3. "MPEC 2009-A63 :Distant Minor Planets (2009 JAN. 29.0 TT)". Minor Planet Center. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
    4. Wm. Robert Johnston (22 August 2008). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
    5. "AstDys (131697) 2001XH255 Ephemerides". Department of Mathematics, University of Pisa, Italy. Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
    6. "MPEC 2006-H30 : 2001 XT254, 2001 XH255". Minor Planet Center. 22 April 2006. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
    7. Oleson, S.; et al. (19 August 2019). "A Kuiper Belt Object Orbiter Enabled By 10 kW Kilopower Electric Propulsion" (PDF). NASA NTRS.
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