Meet 20000 Varuna, a fascinating space object that orbits far away from the Sun. You can call it Varuna for short. Let’s dive into Varuna’s story and learn about what makes it special!
Varuna was discovered in December 2000 by an American astronomer named Robert S. McMillan. He found Varuna while using a telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. Varuna is part of a group of objects called trans-Neptunian objects, which are located in the Kuiper Belt, a region in the outer part of our Solar System. Scientists think Varuna might even be a dwarf planet!
Varuna has a unique shape that looks like an elongated oval. This shape is because it spins really fast, completing one rotation in about 6.34 hours. Scientists first measured this in January 2001. Because of its shape, Varuna is known as a Jacobi ellipsoid.
The surface of Varuna is moderately red. This color comes from complex organic compounds on its surface. There might also be water ice on Varuna, which could have been exposed by past collisions with other space objects.
So far, no moons have been found orbiting Varuna. However, in 2019, astronomers thought there might be a satellite around Varuna. If they find one, it could help us learn even more about Varuna and how it was formed.
Varuna is a unique and interesting trans-Neptunian object with a lot of cool features. We hope you enjoyed learning about Varuna and its place in the vast universe!
Build a Model of Varuna: Use clay or playdough to create a model of Varuna. Try to shape it like an elongated oval, just like a Jacobi ellipsoid. Once your model is ready, spin it gently and observe how it rotates. Discuss with your friends or family why Varuna’s fast spinning might have caused its unique shape.
Color Exploration: Varuna’s surface is moderately red due to complex organic compounds. Find different red objects around your home or classroom. Compare their shades and discuss why different objects might have different shades of red. Can you think of any natural processes that might change the color of objects in space?
Imaginary Space Journey: Imagine you are an astronaut visiting Varuna. Write a short story or draw a picture about what you might see or discover. Would you find water ice or maybe a hidden moon? Share your story or drawing with your classmates and discuss what you think is the most exciting part of exploring Varuna.
