2013_VZ70
2013 VZ70 is a centaur on a horseshoe co-orbital configuration with Saturn.[6][7] It was first observed on 1 November 2013 by the Outer Solar System Origins Survey at Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, United States.[1] The discovery was announced on 23 August 2021.[2]
2013 VZ70 is the first minor planet ever discovered in a horseshoe orbit with respect to Saturn.[3][6][7] It orbits the Sun at a distance of 8.3–10.0 AU once every 27 years and 8 months (10,102 days; semi-major axis of 9.15 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.09 and an inclination of 12° with respect to the ecliptic.[4] Based on a generic magnitude-to-diameter conversion, assuming an albedo of 0.09, 2013 VZ70 measures approximately 7.9 kilometers (4.9 miles) in diameter for an absolute magnitude of 13.74.[4][5]
The object may have an origin among the trans-Neptunian population.[6] However, an analysis of its orbit within the context of those of the known satellites of Saturn suggests that 2013 VZ70 could be related to the Inuit group; on the other hand, the mutual nodal distances of 2013 VZ70 and the moons Fornjot and Thrymr are below the first percentile of the distribution.[7]