2006-08-24 16:28:51 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Kuiper Belt Objects are currently receiving official IAU names based on creation deities. Thus we have Sedna, Quaror, Ixion and a couple of others. Then there are the ones with temporary names like Xena (and satellite Gabrielle). Most have names corresponding to their year of discovery and sequence of discovery within that year like 2003 UB313.
There is likely to be thousands and thousands of Kuiper Belt and Scattered Belt Objects. Of the ones that woud be in Pluto's class in terms of size, there are about 50 known at present. There are likely to be more found as telescopes get better.
2006-08-25 20:08:25 · answer #1 · answered by eriurana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sedna, Xena, The Easter Bunny was the name one astronomer gave his Kuiper Belt object. There was also Santa Clause and Rudolph, along with other names. Some of these names show the humor of scientists. The IAU will eventualy give them all official name that the debate about what they are is over. These should be comming forth soon. So at the moment you can really go out and find "Santa Claus"
2006-08-24 23:34:05 · answer #2 · answered by Scott A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dwarf planets. There are probably 100s; 53 have already been discovered.
2006-08-24 23:31:52 · answer #3 · answered by Captain_Ahab_ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nice topic!! great piece of information through the answers.
2006-08-25 01:03:28 · answer #4 · answered by Caprisco 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋