2007 RW10 facts for kids
2007 RW10 is a special space rock called a Neptune Trojan. It was found in September 2007. Think of it as a companion that travels along with the giant planet Neptune.
What are Neptune Trojans?
A Neptune Trojan is a type of asteroid that shares the same path around the Sun as the planet Neptune. These asteroids don't crash into Neptune because they orbit in very specific, stable spots. They are like Neptune's cosmic travel buddies!
Only a few of these special space rocks are known. Besides 2007 RW10, scientists have found five others: 2001 QR322, 2004 UP10, 2005 TN53, 2005 TO74, and 2006 RJ103.
Where Do They Orbit?
Neptune Trojans have the exact same orbital period as Neptune. This means they take the same amount of time to go around the Sun as Neptune does. They orbit in a special place called the L4 Lagrange point.
Imagine Neptune moving around the Sun. The L4 point is a stable spot about 60 degrees ahead of Neptune in its orbit. It's like a perfect parking spot in space where objects can stay without being pulled away by the gravity of the Sun or Neptune.
Discovering Neptune Trojans
2007 RW10 was discovered by astronomers using the Palomar Observatory in 2007. Finding these Trojans helps us learn more about the early Solar System. They are like clues from the past, showing us how planets and other objects formed and moved around billions of years ago.
