28978 Ixion (IPA pronunciation: [ɪk'saɪ.ɒn]) is a Kuiper belt object discovered on May 22, 2001. Ixion is a plutino (an object that has a 2:3 orbital resonance with Neptune); its estimated diameter of 800 km makes it the second largest plutino. It is named after Ixion, a figure from Greek mythology; it previously had the provisional designation 2001 KX76.
Physical characteristics[]
The diameter of Ixion depends on the albedo (the fraction of light that it reflects).
Ixion is moderately red (slightly redder than 50000 Quaoar) and it has a higher albedo (0.15) than the mid-sized red cubewanos.
The latest spectroscopic results indicate that Ixion's surface is a mixture of dark carbon and tholin, which is a heteropolymer formed by irradiation of clathrates of water and organic compounds (see TNO spectra). Water ice absobtion lines (1.5 and 2μm) were absent (Licandro et al. 2002). Unlike Varuna, Ixion does not show greater reflectivity for longer waves (the so-called red slope) in infrared.
Orbit[]
This diagram shows the orbits of Ixion (green), Pluto (red) and Neptune (grey). The current positions of Ixion and Pluto are indicated (as of April 2006).
Ixion and Pluto follow similar but differently oriented orbits: Ixion’s perihelion is below the ecliptic whereas Pluto's is above it. Uncharacteristically for bodies locked in resonance with Neptune (such as Orcus), Ixion approaches Pluto with less than 20 degrees of angular separation. Ixion is currently crossing the ecliptic heading below, and will reach its perihelion in 2070. Pluto has passed its perihelion (1989) and is descending toward the ecliptic.
See also[]
References[]
- H. Boehnhardt, S. Bagnulo, K. Muinonen, M. A. Barucci, L. Kolokolova, E. Dotto and G. P. Tozzi (2003). "Surface characterization of 28978 Ixion (2001 KX76)". Astronomy & Astrophysics 415: L17-L19. Pre-print about Ixion's surface from the Planetary Systems Research group of the University of Helsinki
- J. Licandro, F. Ghinassi, L. Testi (2002). "Infrared spectroscopy of the largest known trans-neptunian object 2001 KX76". Astronomy & Astrophysics. Pre-print on arXiv
- W. J. Altenhoff, F. Bertoldi and K. M. Menten (2004). "Size estimates of some optically bright KBOs". Astronomy & Astrophysics 415.
External links[]
- AstDys orbital elements
- Orbit simulation from JPL (Java).
| Minor planets | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ceres | 28978 Ixion | 3 Juno |
| List of asteroids | ||
Template:Footer TNOList Template:Footer TransNeptunian
| The minor planets |
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| Vulcanoids | Near-Earth asteroids | Main belt | Jupiter Trojans | Centaurs | Damocloids | Comets | Trans-Neptunians (Kuiper belt · Scattered disc · Oort cloud) |
| For other objects and regions, see: asteroid groups and families, binary asteroids, asteroid moons and the Solar system For a complete listing, see: List of asteroids. See also Pronunciation of asteroid names and Meanings of asteroid names. |