(527604) 2007 VL305

(527604) 2007 VL305, provisional designation 2007 VL305, is an inclined Neptune trojan that shares Neptune's orbit in the L4 Lagrangian point. It was discovered on 4 November 2007, by astronomers Andrew Becker, Andrew Puckett and Jeremy Kubica at the Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico, United States, although images from 2005 have also been recovered.[2] It measures approximately 160 kilometers in diameter and was the sixth Neptune trojan to be discovered.[3] As of 2016, it is 34.1 AU from Neptune.[6]

(527604) 2007 VL305
Discovery[1][2]
Discovered byA. C. Becker
A. W. Puckett
J. Kubica
Discovery siteApache Point Obs.
Discovery date4 November 2007
Designations
(527604) 2007 VL305
2007 VL305
Neptune trojan · L4[3]
centaur[1] · distant[2]
Orbital characteristics[1]
Epoch 4 September 2017 (JD 2458000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 4
Observation arc5.19 yr (1,894 days)
Aphelion31.729 AU
Perihelion28.122 AU
29.926 AU
Eccentricity0.0603
163.71 yr (59,795 days)
10.760°
0° 0m 21.6s / day
Inclination28.155°
188.69°
216.70°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
110 km (est. at 0.10)[4]
160 km[5]
22.2[5]
7.9[1]

    Orbit and classification

    Neptune trojans can be considered resonant trans-Neptunian objects in a 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).

    2007 VL305 belongs to the leading L4 group, which orbits 60° ahead of Neptune's orbit. It orbits the Sun with a semi-major axis of 29.926 AU at a distance of 28.1–31.7 AU once every 163 years and 9 months (59,795 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.06 and an inclination of 28° with respect to the ecliptic.[1] Its inclination is almost as high as that of 2011 HM102.[3]

    Physical characteristics

    Diameter

    The discoverers estimate that 2007 VL305 has a mean-diameter of 160 kilometers based on a magnitude of 22.2.[5] Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, it measures approximately 110 kilometers in diameter using an absolute magnitude of 7.9 with an assumed albedo of 0.10.[4]

    Numbering and naming

    This minor planet was numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 18 May 2019 (M.P.C. 114650).[7] As of 2019, it has not been named.[2] If named, it will follow the naming scheme already established with 385571 Otrera and 385695 Clete, 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.[8]

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2007 VL305)" (2011-01-10 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
    2. "2007 VL305". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
    3. "List Of Neptune Trojans". Minor Planet Center. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
    4. "Asteroid Size Estimator". CNEOS/JPL. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
    5. Lakdawalla, Emily (13 August 2010). "2008 LC15, the first Trojan asteroid discovered in Neptune's L5 point". The Planetary Society. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
    6. 2007 VL305 at JPL Horizons Change "Observer Location" to @Neptune
    7. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
    8. Ticha, J.; et al. (10 April 2018). "DIVISION F / Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature. THE TRIENNIAL REPORT (2015 Sept 1 - 2018 Feb 15)" (PDF). IAU. Retrieved 25 August 2018.

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