What is the largest object discovered in the Solar System since Pluto?

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In summary, on February 20, 2004, the largest object to be discovered in the Solar System since Pluto in 1930 was spotted by a sky survey. The object, tentatively named 2004 DW, was found in the Kuiper Belt and has a diameter of 1650 km. This discovery was made by researchers at Caltech and was leaked to the public before the size and orbit of the object could be determined. Additional news sources, such as CNN and Space.com, also reported on this groundbreaking discovery.
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http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994702 The World's No.1 Science & Technology News Service



Largest Solar System body spotted since Pluto


11:53 20 February 04

NewScientist.com news service

"The largest object to be discovered in the Solar System since Pluto was found in 1930 was spotted by a sky survey on Tuesday.

News of the hulking object leaked out on Thursday before the researchers at Caltech could pin down the giant's size and orbit.

Tentatively called 2004 DW, the object lies beyond Neptune in the mysterious Kuiper Belt. This shadowy belt is a collection of primordial icy bodies which circle our Sun and are thought to be the remnants of planetary formation."

2004 DW has a diameter of 1650 km. Quaoar has a diameter of 1250 km
 
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ah, you beat me to it!

still...a great discovery!

here's CNN's tidbit...
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/02/20/ice.world.ap/index.html

and Space.com...
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/new_object_040219.html
 
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1. What is a Kuiper Belt and where is it located?

The Kuiper Belt is a region of our solar system that extends beyond the orbit of Neptune and is located between 30 and 55 astronomical units (AU) from the sun. It is made up of small icy objects, including dwarf planets and comets, and is considered to be the source of many short-period comets.

2. How was the new object in the Kuiper Belt discovered?

The new object in the Kuiper Belt was most likely discovered using a telescope, either ground-based or space-based. Scientists may have used images taken over a period of time to track the object's movement and determine its orbit, or they may have used spectroscopy to analyze the light reflecting off the object and determine its composition.

3. How large is the new object in the Kuiper Belt?

The size of the new object in the Kuiper Belt can vary, but it is likely to be in the range of a few kilometers to a few hundred kilometers in diameter. This is much smaller than the dwarf planet Pluto, which is also located in the Kuiper Belt and is approximately 2,372 kilometers in diameter.

4. What is the significance of the new object in the Kuiper Belt?

The discovery of a new object in the Kuiper Belt is significant because it adds to our understanding of this region of our solar system and the objects that reside within it. It may also provide insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system.

5. Is there a name for the new object in the Kuiper Belt?

As a scientist, I cannot provide a definitive answer to this question as the naming process for new objects in the Kuiper Belt is a complex and ongoing process. However, once the object's orbit and characteristics are determined, it may be given a provisional designation by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) until a formal name is proposed and approved.

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