2013 LA2

2013 LA2 is a centaur and damocloid on a cometary-like and retrograde orbit from the outer Solar System, suggesting that it is an extinct comet. It was first observed on 1 June 2013 by astronomers with the Pan-STARRS survey at Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii, in the United States.[1] The object measures approximately 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) in diameter.[3] It holds the record for having the highest orbital inclination of any known minor planet.

2013 LA2
Discovery [1]
Discovered byPan-STARRS 1
Discovery sitePan-STARRS
Discovery date1 June 2013
(first observed only)
Designations
2013 LA2
centaur [2] · damocloid [3]
unusual [4] · main-belt [1]
Orbital characteristics [2]
Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 7
Observation arc41 days
Aphelion8.331 AU
Perihelion3.0376 AU
5.6841 AU
Eccentricity0.4656
13.55 yr (4,950 d)
197.7432°
0° 4m 21.72s / day
Inclination175.09°
243.90°
325.17°
Jupiter MOID0.1752 AU
Saturn MOID0.8945 AU [1]
TJupiter–0.928
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter
1.8 km (est.)[3]
0.09 (assumed)[3]
16.9[1][2]

    Orbit and classification

    2013 LA2 orbits the Sun at a distance of 3.0–12.0 AU once every 20 years and 7 months (7,519 days; semi-major axis of 7.51 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.59 and an inclination of 175° with respect to the ecliptic.[2]

    It has the highest orbital inclination of any known minor planet which gives it a retrograde orbit. The objects's orbit takes it from the outer region of the asteroid belt to between the orbit of Saturn (9.5 AU) and Uranus (19.2 AU). The body's short observation arc of less than a month begins with its first observation on 1 June 2013. It has not since been observed.[1]

    Physical characteristics

    Johnston's archive assumes an albedo 0.09 and calculates a diameter of 1.8 kilometers.[3]

    See also
    • List of notable asteroids § Retrograde and highly inclined

    References
    1. "2013 LA2". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
    2. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (2013 LA2)" (2013-06-26 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
    3. Johnston, Wm. Robert (7 October 2018). "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects". Johnston's Archive. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
    4. "List Of Other Unusual Objects". Minor Planet Center. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.

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