2018 VM35

2018 VM₃₅ is an extreme trans-Neptunian object from the outermost region of the Solar System, approximately 130 kilometers (80 miles) in diameter. With a perihelion distance greater than 40 AU, it is considered a detached object. It is currently 55 AU (8.2 billion km) from the Sun and thus moves slowly across the sky.

2018 VM₃₅

Orbit of 2018 VM35 with other extreme trans-Neptunian objects
Discovery [1]
Discovery site	Mauna Kea Obs.
Discovery date	6 November 2018 (first observed only)
Designations
MPC designation	2018 VM35
Minor planet category	E-SDO[2] · TNO [3][2] · distant [1]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 31 May 2020 (JD 2459000.5)
Uncertainty parameter 4
Observation arc	389 days
Aphelion	488.042 AU
Perihelion	44.690 AU
Semi-major axis	266.366 AU
Eccentricity	0.83222
Orbital period (sidereal)	4347 yr
Mean anomaly	356.871°
Mean motion	0° 0m 0.816s / day
Inclination	8.480°
Longitude of ascending node	192.396°
Argument of perihelion	303.474°
Physical characteristics
Mean diameter	130 km (est. at 0.09)[4]
Apparent magnitude	25.2 (opposition)
Absolute magnitude (H)	7.7[1] 7.72[3]

Orbit and classification

2018 VM₃₅ orbits the Sun at an average distance of about 266 AU once every 4,347 years. Its orbit has a high eccentricity of 0.83 and an inclination of 8.48° with respect to the ecliptic.^[3] As with any slow moving object beyond the orbit of Neptune, an observation arc of several years is required to constrain the orbital parameters.

It is predicted to reach perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) around 2058 coming to opposition in February 2058, while only reaching magnitude 24.3.

Physical characteristics

Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, 2018 VM₃₅ measures approximately 130 kilometers (81 miles) for an absolute magnitude of 7.6 and an assumed albedo of 0.09.^[1][4]

See also

• Extreme trans-Neptunian object