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Planetoid ‘Farfarout’ is the Solar System’s most distant known object
By Charlotte Edwards , The Sun February 12, 2021
This illustration depicts the most distant object yet found in our Solar System, nicknamed “Farfarout,” in the lower right. In the lower left, a graph shows the distances of the planets, dwarf planets, candidate dwarf planets, and Farfarout from the Sun in astronomical units (au). One au is equal to Earth’s average distance from the Sun.
The most distant known object in our Solar System has been identified by astronomers.
It’s been given the fitting nickname “Farfarout” and is classified as a ‘planetoid’.
This means it’s too small to be considered a planet or a dwarf planet but is still a mass that orbits our Sun.
There was once a time when astronomers thought Pluto was the most distant object orbiting the Sun.
Advancements in technology mean scientists now have a much deeper gaze into the space.
Scientifically known as 2018 AG37, Farfarout is around 12.4 billion miles from the Sun.
In comparison, Earth is only around 93 million miles away.
Dwarf planet Pluto is about 3.7 billion miles away.
However, Farfarout occasionally moves closer to the Sun and Earth on it’s 1,000 year orbit path.
It’s orbit shape means there’s a point every 1,000 years when Farfarout becomes closer to the Sun than both Neptune and Pluto.
So it might be the furthest object in our Solar System for now but it won’t always keep that title.
There’s a dwarf planet called Goblin which is currently closer to the Sun than Farfarout but has the potential to move much further away on its orbital path.
Research David Tholen from the University of Hawai’i said: “Farfarout’s orbital dynamics can help us understand how Neptune formed and evolved, as Farfarout was likely thrown into the outer Solar System by getting too close to Neptune in the distant past.
“Farfarout will likely interact with Neptune again since their orbits continue to intersect.”
Farfarout’s 1,000 year orbit time meant the researchers had to study it for years to determine its trajectory.
It was actually discovered back in 2018 but its exact distance hadn’t been determined until recently.
Astronomers think it’s around 250 miles wide.
It will remain under observation and eventually be given an official name that’s more serious than Farfarout and less data specific than 2018 AG37.
An artist’s conception of “Farfarout” on the outer reaches of our Solar System.
By Charlotte Edwards , The Sun February 12, 2021
This illustration depicts the most distant object yet found in our Solar System, nicknamed “Farfarout,” in the lower right. In the lower left, a graph shows the distances of the planets, dwarf planets, candidate dwarf planets, and Farfarout from the Sun in astronomical units (au). One au is equal to Earth’s average distance from the Sun.
The most distant known object in our Solar System has been identified by astronomers.
It’s been given the fitting nickname “Farfarout” and is classified as a ‘planetoid’.
This means it’s too small to be considered a planet or a dwarf planet but is still a mass that orbits our Sun.
There was once a time when astronomers thought Pluto was the most distant object orbiting the Sun.
Advancements in technology mean scientists now have a much deeper gaze into the space.
Scientifically known as 2018 AG37, Farfarout is around 12.4 billion miles from the Sun.
In comparison, Earth is only around 93 million miles away.
Dwarf planet Pluto is about 3.7 billion miles away.
However, Farfarout occasionally moves closer to the Sun and Earth on it’s 1,000 year orbit path.
It’s orbit shape means there’s a point every 1,000 years when Farfarout becomes closer to the Sun than both Neptune and Pluto.
So it might be the furthest object in our Solar System for now but it won’t always keep that title.
There’s a dwarf planet called Goblin which is currently closer to the Sun than Farfarout but has the potential to move much further away on its orbital path.
Research David Tholen from the University of Hawai’i said: “Farfarout’s orbital dynamics can help us understand how Neptune formed and evolved, as Farfarout was likely thrown into the outer Solar System by getting too close to Neptune in the distant past.
“Farfarout will likely interact with Neptune again since their orbits continue to intersect.”
Farfarout’s 1,000 year orbit time meant the researchers had to study it for years to determine its trajectory.
It was actually discovered back in 2018 but its exact distance hadn’t been determined until recently.
Astronomers think it’s around 250 miles wide.
It will remain under observation and eventually be given an official name that’s more serious than Farfarout and less data specific than 2018 AG37.
An artist’s conception of “Farfarout” on the outer reaches of our Solar System.
