2002 MS4 is a really interesting space object that’s part of a group called the Kuiper Belt. This group is located far away, beyond the planet Neptune, and is full of icy bodies and dwarf planets. In this article, we’ll learn about what makes 2002 MS4 special, how it was discovered, and some cool facts about its orbit.
Two famous astronomers, Chad Trujillo and Michael Brown, discovered 2002 MS4 in 2002 at the Palomar Observatory. They spotted this distant object as it moved through space, helping us learn more about the mysterious Kuiper Belt.
2002 MS4 is located about 46.5 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. One AU is the distance from the Earth to the Sun, so 2002 MS4 is really far away! It will get closest to the Sun, a point called perihelion, in the year 2122. This long journey shows just how big and amazing our solar system is.
2002 MS4 is about 800 kilometers in diameter, which is similar in size to the dwarf planet Ceres. As of 2020, it’s one of the largest unnamed objects in our solar system and is among the ten biggest objects beyond Neptune. It might even be big enough to be called a dwarf planet, but since it doesn’t have any known moons, it’s hard to figure out its exact mass.
In 2019, scientists observed that 2002 MS4 might be oblate, meaning it’s a bit squished at the poles and wider at the equator. This shape is common for larger space objects because of their gravity.
2002 MS4 is a fascinating object that helps us learn more about the Kuiper Belt and how our solar system works. As scientists continue to study it, we might discover even more about how celestial bodies beyond Neptune were formed and how they have changed over time.
Create Your Own Kuiper Belt Model: Gather some materials like clay or playdough, and create a model of the Kuiper Belt. Include 2002 MS4 and other objects like Pluto. Think about how far these objects are from the Sun. Use a ruler to measure distances and label each object. Discuss with your classmates or family how these objects might look and move in space.
Distance Exploration Activity: To understand how far 46.5 astronomical units (AU) is, imagine that 1 AU is the length of your classroom. Measure the classroom and calculate how many classrooms would fit into 46.5 AU. How many times would you need to walk back and forth to cover that distance? This will help you visualize the vastness of space.
Shape and Gravity Experiment: Use a balloon to explore the concept of an oblate shape. Inflate the balloon slightly and press it gently at the top and bottom to see how it becomes wider at the equator. Discuss why larger space objects like 2002 MS4 might have this shape due to gravity. How does gravity affect the shape of objects in space?
