In astronomy, a resonant trans-Neptunian object is a trans-Neptunian object in mean-motion orbital resonance with Neptune. The orbital periods of the resonant objects are in a simple integer relations
The orbital period of 2001 XT254 around the 3:7 resonance (2.333) with Neptune.
The orbital period of 1995 TL8 missing the 3:7 resonance (2.333) with Neptune.
Kuiper belt
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The Kuiper belt is a circumstellar disc in the outer Solar System, extending from the orbit of Neptune at 30 astronomical units to approximately 50 AU from the Sun. It is similar to the asteroid belt,
Resonant trans-Neptunian object
…of the resonant objects are in a simple integer relations with the period of Neptune, e.g. 1:2, 2:3, etc. Resonant TNOs can be either part of the main Kuiper belt population, or the more distant scattered disc population. The diagram illustrates the distribution of the known trans-Neptunian objects. Resonant…
Pluto and Charon in false color
Astronomer Gerard Kuiper, after whom the Kuiper belt is named
In 1980, astronomer Julio Fernandez predicted the existence of a belt. It has been said that because the words "Kuiper" and "comet belt" appeared in the opening sentence of Fernandez's paper, this hypothetical region was referred to as the "Kuiper belt".
Telescopes atop Mauna Kea. The Kuiper belt was discovered with UH88, which is the fourth from the left