2006 RJ103 facts for kids
2006 RJ103 is a special space rock called a Neptune Trojan. It was found by scientists working on the SDSS project in 2006. This space rock is quite rare! Only four others like it are known: 2001 QR322, 385571 Oterea, 2005 TN53, and 385695 Clete.
These Neptune Trojans are unique because they travel around the Sun in a very similar path to the planet Neptune. They stay about 60 degrees ahead of Neptune at a special spot in space called the L4 Lagrange point.
What are Neptune Trojans?
Neptune Trojans are a group of asteroids that share Neptune's orbit around the Sun. They are called "Trojans" because they are named after characters from the Trojan War in Greek mythology. These asteroids don't crash into Neptune because they are trapped in stable areas called Lagrange points.
Where are Lagrange Points?
Lagrange points are special places in space where the gravity from two large objects, like the Sun and Neptune, balances out. This balance allows smaller objects, like asteroids, to stay in a stable position relative to the two larger objects. For Neptune, there are five such points. The L4 point is one of these, located 60 degrees ahead of Neptune in its orbit.
How were they discovered?
2006 RJ103 was discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). This project uses a powerful telescope to map large parts of the universe. Scientists look for new objects in space by carefully studying the images and data collected by the SDSS. Finding a Neptune Trojan is exciting because they can tell us more about how our Solar System formed.
See also
In Spanish: 2006 RJ103 para niños
