| definition |
An asteroid whose orbit around the Sun lies typically between the orbits of Jupiter
and Neptune (5 to 30 astronomical units). The first Centaur, called Chiron, was discovered
in 1977, but since then more than 100 roughly similar objects have been found. Three
centaurs, Chiron, 60558 Echeclus, and 166P/NEAT 2001 T4, have been found to display
cometary comas. Chiron and 60558 Echeclus are now classified as both asteroids and
comets. Most of the Centaur asteroids are probably dormant comets from the Kuiper
belt which have been pulled in by the gravity of outer planets.
|
|
