Key Information
Orcus
| Type | Dwarf Planet & Trans-Neptunian Object |
| Diameter | 565 miles |
| Distance from the Sun | 2,814,794,799 to 4,468,106,787 miles |
| Orbit Time | 245.19 years |
| Length of Day | 13.19 hours |
| Temperature | -380 °F |
| Atmosphere | Unknown |
| Date of Discovery | 17 February 2004 (M E Brown, C Trujillo, D Rabinowitz) |
| Moons | 1 (Vanth) |
Learning Point
- Orcus, a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune, boasts a bright icy surface and a large moon named Vanth. Clocking in at roughly the size of dwarf planet Ceres, Orcus is locked in a special orbital dance with Neptune, circling the Sun twice for every three trips Neptune makes. Nicknamed the “anti-Pluto” because their orbits are oppositely oriented, Orcus might even harbor traces of methane or ammonia ice on its surface, hinting at a potentially fascinating history.
Project
- Draw a picture of Orcus and Vanth.
- Overview
- Comparison
Location
| Located in | Solar System, orbiting the Sun |
Fun Facts
- The two orbits around the Sun for every three trips Neptune makes, creates a fascinating dance where they never get too close, despite having similar orbital inclinations.
- Orcus is eerily similar to Pluto in size and orbital period. However, unlike Pluto’s dark reddish surface, Orcus shines bright with its icy coat.
- Unlike many distant objects, Orcus has a surprisingly reflective surface, composed mostly of water ice. This ice is even thought to be in a crystalline form, which suggests past volcanic activity on the dwarf planet – a phenomenon known as cryovolcanism!
- Scientists believe Orcus’s icy surface might hold traces of ammonia or methane ice, which would be quite unique! These compounds haven’t been detected on many other icy bodies in the outer solar system, making Orcus a potential treasure trove for future exploration.
Past Lessons
| 98 | July 8, 2024 | (North America) |