(15789) 1993 SC

1993 SC is a trans-Neptunian object of the plutino class. The discovery was made in 1993 at the La Palma Observatory with the Isaac Newton Telescope. The object measures approximately 328 km in diameter. It was the second plutino to receive an MPC number.
Other Kuiper belt objects discovered in 1993 include: 1993 SB, 1993 FW, 1993 RO and 1993 RP.

Orbit and classification

1993 SC orbits the Sun at a distance of 32.2–46.1 AU one per 247 Earth years. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.183 and an inclination of 5.166° respective to the elliptic. Its observation arc begins with Mauna Kea Observatory in 1993.
1993 SC is a trans-Neptunian object and belongs to the plutinos, an orbital class of objects named after their largest member, Pluto. These resonant trans-Neptunian objects stay in a 2:3 mean-motion orbital resonance with Neptune, orbiting exactly two times the sun for every three orbits Neptune does.

Numbering and naming

1993 SC was numbered by the Minor Planet Center on 26 July 2000, receiving the number in the minor planet catalog., it has not been named. According to the established naming conventions, it will get a mythological name associated with the underworld.

Physical characteristics

1993 SC has a diameter of and a low geometric albedo of 0.022. It also has a very red surface color in its visible spectrum, with B-V and V-R color indices of and respectively. A red surface color is typically represented with the association of tholins, polymer-like organic compounds, formed by long exposures to solar and cosmic radiation.