(533560) 2014 JM80: A Mysterious Trans-Neptunian Object
(533560) 2014 JM80, provisionally designated as 2014 JM80, is a significant trans-Neptunian object (TNO) located within the scattered disc of the outer Solar System. It has an estimated diameter of approximately 340 kilometers (about 210 miles). Discovered on May 9, 2010, by astronomers from the Pan-STARRS-1 survey at the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii, this object has garnered attention for its potential classification as a dwarf planet.
Orbit and Classification
2014 JM80 orbits the Sun at a distance ranging from 46.0 to 80.2 AU, completing one orbit approximately every 500 years and 11 months (equivalent to 182,969 days). The semi-major axis of its orbit is 63.07 AU, with an eccentricity of 0.27 and an inclination of 20° relative to the ecliptic plane.
This remote minor planet is classified as a member of the scattered disc population. Objects in the scattered disc are believed to have been ejected from the classical Kuiper belt through gravitational interactions with Neptune, leading to their highly eccentric orbits and perihelia of less than 38 AU.
Interestingly, 2014 JM80 is also considered by some to be a detached object, as its relatively low eccentricity and perihelion distance challenge the existing models of scattered-disc dynamics.
Theoretical Implications
The characteristics of 2014 JM80 have prompted discussions regarding the current understanding of the outer Solar System. Various theories are proposed, including the influence of close stellar passages, the existence of unseen planets or rogue planets, and interactions with a migrating Neptune. The Kozai mechanism could also play a role, transferring orbital eccentricity to higher inclinations.
With an orbital period nearing 500 years, 2014 JM80 is thought to be part of a resonant group of trans-Neptunian objects, specifically in a 1:3 resonance with Neptune. This positions it alongside other trans-Neptunian objects like 2015 FJ345 and 2005 TB190, although it features a lower eccentricity and a higher perihelion distance compared to some of its peers.