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Beyond Jupiter, The World of Distant Minor Planets: (174567) Varda

JOA 2022, Vol. 12, No. 2, Page 16

Author(s): Christian Weber

Abstract: (174567) Varda (former designation 2003 MW12) is a binary Trans-Neptunian Object (TNO) located in the Kuiper Belt (Kuiper Belt Object, KBO). Varda was discovered in 2006 on images dated from 2003 obtained with the Spacewatch 0.9-m telescope at Kitt Peak. The secondary Ilmarë was discovered in 2009 using Hubble Space Telescope images. From the only known successful stellar occultation in 2018, Varda’s apparent diameter was derived at 766 ± 6 km. Ilmarë is about half the size of Varda. Ilmarë’s orbit around its main object (period 5.75 days) has a semi-major axis of about 4809 km. By 2027, 11 upcoming Varda stellar occultations are identified.