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 by	Pan-STARRS 1
Discovery site	Pan-STARRS
Discovery date	1 June 2013 (first observed only)
Designations
MPC designation	2013 LA2
Minor planet category	centaur[2] · damocloid[3] unusual[4] · main-belt[1]
Orbital characteristics[2]
Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 7
Observation arc	41 days
Aphelion	8.331 AU
Perihelion	3.0376 AU
Semi-major axis	5.6841 AU
Eccentricity	0.4656
Orbital period (sidereal)	13.55 yr (4,950 d)
Mean anomaly	197.7432°
Mean motion	0° 4m 21.72s / day
Inclination	175.09°
Longitude of ascending node	243.90°
Argument of perihelion	325.17°
Jupiter MOID	0.1752 AU
Saturn MOID	0.8945 AU[1]
TJupiter	–0.928
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter	1.8 km (est.)[3]
Geometric albedo	0.09 (assumed)[3]
Absolute magnitude (H)	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