(65407) 2002 RP120

is a trans-Neptunian object and damocloid from the outer Solar System. Its orbit is retrograde and comet-like, and has a high eccentricity. It was discovered on 4 September 2002 by astronomers with the LONEOS survey at Anderson Mesa Station, Arizona, in the United States. The unusual object measures approximately in diameter and is likely elongated in shape. It is a slow rotator and potentially a tumbler as well. The object was probably ejected from the ecliptic by Neptune.

Orbit and classification

is a member of the damocloids, with a retrograde orbit and a negative T_Jupiter of −0.8340. It is also a trans-Neptunian object, as its orbit has a semi-major axis larger than that of Neptune. The Minor Planet Center lists it as a critical object, centaur, and unusual minor planet due to an orbital eccentricity of more than 0.5.
It orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.5–105 AU once every 396 years. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.95 and an inclination of 119° with respect to the ecliptic. The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken by Astrovirtel at ESO's La Silla Observatory in February 2001, or 19 months prior to its official discovery observation at Anderson Mesa.

Numbering and naming

This minor planet was permanently numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 14 June 2003. As of 2018, it has not been named.

Physical characteristics

The object has a B–R magnitude of 1.37, typical for most dynamical groups in the outer Solar System.

Rotation period

In October 2010, a rotational lightcurve of was obtained from photometric observations by French amateur astronomer René Roy. Lightcurve analysis gave a rotation period of 200 hours with a brightness amplitude of 0.6 magnitude, indicative of an elongated, non-spherical shape. With a rotation period above 100 hours, it is a typical slow rotator.

Diameter and albedo

According to the survey of minor-planet albedos of bodies in a comet-like orbit, carried out by Yanga Fernández in collaboration with David Jewitt and Scott Sheppard at the Institute for Astronomy, Hawaii, measures 14.6 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.098. Johnston's archive gives a rounded figure of 15 kilometers.