Varuna

Overview: Varuna is a large, rapidly rotating Kuiper Belt Object with a bright, icy surface. Its characteristics make it one of the most prominent dwarf planet candidates.

Discovery: Varuna was discovered on November 28, 2000, by Robert McMillan at the Spacewatch survey.

Orbit: Varuna orbits the Sun at about 43.2 AU with an orbital period of roughly 282 years. Its orbit is slightly inclined (~17°) and nearly circular.

Size and Surface: Varuna has a diameter of approximately 668 km. Its surface is moderately bright, showing water ice and possibly traces of methane. Varuna is also notable for its rapid rotation period of about 6.34 hours, which gives it an elongated shape.

Fun Fact: Varuna’s fast rotation stretches it into an oblong shape, offering scientists clues about the structural integrity of icy worlds in the Kuiper Belt.