Trans Neptunian Colonists
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44.5 AU From Sol 44.5 AU From Sol
15 AU beyond the orbit of Neptune lie many minor planets. The colonists identify the bound binary objects that compose minor planet 486958 to be of interest. Safely getting there and back will be a challenge.
Potential Target 1 Potential Target 1
The minor planet may be a source of hydrocarbon ices, organic materials or other items of interest and use to the colonists.
On Approach To Target On Approach To Target
The journey is long and mostly consists of maintenance tasks, astronomical scans, and physical conditioning.
Decelerate and Stabilize Decelerate and Stabilize
Final approach is one of the riskiest portions of any voyage.
Ultima Ultima
Ultima is the larger portion of the binary, about 21km across. Ultima appears to consist of several smaller bodies that have collided at low speeds and fused.
Thule Thule
Thule is about 15km across and more spherical than Ultima. The center of mass is between the two objects, causing them to engage in a ceaseless dance around one another in perpetuity.
Minor Planet 486958 Minor Planet 486958
Designated minor planet 486958, the minor planet is also called "Arrokoth." "Ultima Thule" (translates roughly as "the furthest place") is an informal name for the minor planet.
Hydrogen Cyanide Hydrogen Cyanide
Hydrogen cyanide ice may be prominent on Arrokoth, along with methanol, acetylene, ethane, and other ices.
Ultra Red Ultra Red
Arrokoth is an ultra red cold classical Kuiper belt object. "Ultra red," in this case, means that its coloration is more red than Pluto. The red coloration is due to tholins, or complex organic compounds.
Photoionization Photoionization
Cosmic rays and solar ultraviolet radiation cause simple organic compounds and volatiles to produce tholins and hydrogen gasses.
Arrokoth Arrokoth
Arrokoth will continue its non-eccentric orbit of Sol about once every 300 years for countless years ahead. It will perhaps continue unpreturbed by other bodies until Sol has ended the main sequence stage.
