541132 Leleākūhonua
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | David Tholen,
Chad Trujillo, Scott Sheppard |
| Discovery site | Mauna Kea Observatory |
| Discovery date | October 13, 2015 |
| Designations | |
| MPC designation | (541132) Leleakuhouna |
| TNO, Sednoid | |
| Orbital characteristics | |
| Aphelion | 2106 AU |
| Perihelion | 65.16 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.93997±0.00636 |
| Inclination | 11.654° |
| June 11 2078 | |
| Physical characteristics | |
Mean radius | 110 km |
541132 Leleākūhouna (temporary label 2015 TG387) is a trans-Neptunian object which has a orbit that is even farther than the dwarf planet Sedna from the Sun. It was discovered in October 13, 2015 at the Mauna Kea Observatory by American astronomers David Tholen, Chad Trujillo and Scott Sheppard. Around 220 km in diameter. Leleākūhonua takes roughly 32,000 years to orbit the Sun, much higher than Sedna and other trans-Neptunian objects. It is one of the most distant known objects in the Solar System. Therefore, Leleākūhonua's surface temperature never rises above -240°C.
The name "Leleākūhonua" comes from the Hawaiian word " Leleākūhonua" which means "It flies until land appears" in English.
No pictures can be taken of Leleākūhonua because very little light from the Sun reaches it, and the object is very small.
Leleākūhonua's discovery questions scientists about the mysterious Planet 9.