Tarqeq

Tarqeq is a dwarf planet candidate located in the outer reaches of the Solar System. It is a detached object, meaning its orbit is significantly influenced by interactions beyond the classical Kuiper Belt, exhibiting a high perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) that keeps it largely isolated from Neptune's gravitational influence.

Discovery and Naming: Tarqeq was discovered in 2010 by the Pan-STARRS survey and subsequently numbered (486729). Its name is derived from a Greenlandic Inuit lunar deity associated with the moon and hunting. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) formally accepted the name, recognizing its significance in Inuit mythology.

Orbital Characteristics: Tarqeq possesses a highly eccentric orbit, with its distance from the Sun varying significantly throughout its orbital period. The high perihelion distance contributes to its classification as a detached object. Its orbital period is several centuries long. Precise orbital parameters are continually being refined through ongoing observations.

Physical Characteristics: Due to its extreme distance and relatively small size, determining the physical characteristics of Tarqeq has proven challenging. Estimates of its size are based on its observed brightness and assumed albedo (reflectivity). It is believed to be a few hundred kilometers in diameter, making it a dwarf planet candidate under the IAU's size criteria. Further research is needed to confirm its size and other physical properties such as its composition and surface features.

Classification: Tarqeq is currently classified as a detached object and a dwarf planet candidate. Its orbital characteristics distinguish it from classical Kuiper Belt objects and scattered-disc objects. Confirmation of its hydrostatic equilibrium (meaning it is rounded by its own gravity) is required for official designation as a dwarf planet by the IAU.