(501581) 2014 OB394

(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.

(501581) 2014 OB394
Discovery [1]
Discovered byPan-STARRS 1
Discovery siteHaleakalā Obs.
Discovery date25 August 2012
Designations
(501581) 2014 OB394
2014 OB394
TNO [2] · other [3]
p-DP [4] · distant [1]
Orbital characteristics [2]
Epoch 27 April 2019 (JD 2458600.5)
Uncertainty parameter 3
Observation arc5.08 yr (1,857 d)
Aphelion58.222 AU
Perihelion35.036 AU
46.629 AU
Eccentricity0.2486
318.42 yr (116,302 d)
353.23°
0° 0m 11.16s / day
Inclination20.739°
8.0853°
9.7242°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
255 km (est.)[4]
267 km (est.)[3]
0.08 (assumed)[4]
0.09 (assumed)[3]
6.1[1][2]

    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
    1. "501581 (2014 OB394)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    2. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 501581 (2014 OB394)" (2017-09-25 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    3. Johnston, Wm. Robert (7 October 2018). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    4. Brown, Michael E. "How many dwarf planets are there in the outer solar system?". California Institute of Technology. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    5. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
    6. "LCDB Data for (501581)". Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Retrieved 3 December 2018.

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