Chiron
CategoryCentaur
SystemOuter Solar System
Diameter215 km
Orbital Period50.4 years
About Chiron
The first centaur discovered, found by Charles Kowal in 1977. Orbits between Saturn and Uranus on a chaotic path that shifts over millennia. Shows comet-like behavior, growing a coma near the Sun, and carries dual designations as asteroid 2060 and comet 95P. A stellar occultation in 2011 revealed a suspected narrow ring. Named after the wise centaur tutor of Greek heroes.
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