New Dwarf Planet Discovered Far Beyond Pluto's Orbit

space.com ^ | 07/11/2016

[BenLurkin]

Pluto isn't quite as lonely as scientists had thought.

Astronomers have discovered another dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, the ring of icy objects beyond Neptune. But this newfound world, dubbed 2015 RR245, is much more distant than Pluto, orbiting the sun once every 700 Earth years, scientists said. (Pluto completes one lap around the sun every 248 Earth years.)

"The icy worlds beyond Neptune trace how the giant planets formed and then moved out from the sun," discovery team member Michele Bannister, of the University of Victoria in British Columbia, said in a statement. "They let us piece together the history of our solar system."

...

The exact size of 2015 RR245 is not yet known, but the researchers think it's about 435 miles (700 kilometers) wide. Pluto is the largest resident of the Kuiper Belt, with a diameter of 1,474 miles (2,371 km).

The research team first spotted 2015 RR245 in February of this year, while poring over images that the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in Hawaii took in September 2015 as part of the ongoing Outer Solar System Origins Survey (OSSOS).

"There it was on the screen — this dot of light moving so slowly that it had to be at least twice as far as Neptune from the sun," Bannister said.

[ArGee]

You make me feel a little better. I thought most of the people who were off their meds worked here.

But, I still say you’re setting your sights too narrow.

Actually, your description fits the Democrat caucus of Congress.

[moose07]

Well done !
Another significant number successfully captured.
Taken down like a sitting Duck. :D

[Tax-chick]

Evening, Moose! I’m just back from the dentist, where I dozed in the lobby while Pat had his teeth cleaned.

[Monkey Face]

I thought of that after I posted...

[Monkey Face]

Well...you know...;o]

[Monkey Face]

The wind seems to be getting colder as the day wears on, though the sun is still shining.

I’m going to go in and turn the mattress pad on, very shortly. I’m pretty sure I’ll sleep fairly well tonight. I’m so glad I have a quilt! It’s nice and heavy and so much fun to sleep under. :o])

[ArGee]

The wind seems to be getting colder as the day wears on, though the sun is still shining.

Maybe you should turn the setting to unwind.

[moose07]

Good Evening TC, :)
The dreaded ultrasonic teeth cleaner.....my gums hate that debice.
Must book an appointment this spring....it’s been three years since I had a molar removed. Best to keep an eye on things.

How’s TC?

[moose07]

:D
Oh, yeah.....

[moose07]

Today's stolen internet Picture, the Forth Rail Bridge:

[ArGee]

I always wanted to drive on this bridge:

[moose07]

I’m guessing that is in Florida?

[nesnah]

Looks like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. I’ve done it dozens of times.

[moose07]

That does appear to be so.
Must be exciting in a high cross wind.

[Tax-chick]

Hope you have a good night! I still have at least two hours “on shift.”

[Tax-chick]

A day older every day. Tomorrow will also be very busy.

[ArGee]

Maryland. It’s across/under the Chesapeake Bay.

[NoCmpromiz]

I picked up a Magic 8-Ball the other day and it said “Outlook not so good.”

I said, “Sure, but Microsoft still ships it.”

[NicknamedBob]

I’ve been across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel a couple of times. The amazing thing to me was the lane of seagulls commuting just off the bridge rail.

They looked as bored and annoyed with the traffic as any other users of the bridge.

[moose07]

:D
It works. The Magic Eightball is an important tool for understanding the modern world.