“Quaoar’s” Size Compared With Earth’s Moon, Pluto, and Charon

Artist's View of Kuiper Belt Object "Quaoar"

This is an artist's impression of the icy Kuiper belt object 2002 LM60, dubbed "Quaoar" by its discoverers. With the help of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have determined that Quaoar (pronounced kwa-whar) is the largest body found in the solar system since the...

ACS Images of KBO "Quaoar"

With the help of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have determined that 2002 LM60, an icy Kuiper belt object dubbed "Quaoar," by its discoverers, is the largest body found in the solar system since the discovery of Pluto 72 years ago. Quaoar (pronounced kwa-whar) is...

DSS Image

DSS image (~15' wide) with approximate path of KBO.

ACS Images of KBO "Quaoar"

Composite of 16 separate exposures resulting in the trail of the KBO against the sky.

ACS Image of KBO "Quaoar"

Sum of 16 exposures registered on the KBO.

"Quaoar's" Orbit in the Solar System

"Quaoar's" Size Compared With Pluto, Earth's Moon, and the Earth

"Quaoar's" Size Compared with North America

Sky Chart Showing Location of KBO "Quaoar"

Kuiper Belt Object Moving Through Frame

Interview with Dr. Michael Brown – part 1

Diameter of "Quaoar"

Interview with Dr. Michael Brown – part 2

"Quaoar" Initial Discovery

Interview with Dr. Michael Brown – part 3

Discovery of "Quaoar"

Interview with Dr. Michael Brown – part 4

Using Hubble Space Telescope

Interview with Dr. Michael Brown – part 5

Composition of "Quaoar"

Interview with Dr. Michael Brown – part 6

Significance of "Quaoar" Discovery