List of Solar System objects most distant from the Sun

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Positions of known outer Solar System objects
  Sun
  Jupiter trojans (6,178)
  Scattered disc (>300)   Giant planets: J · S · U · N
  Centaurs (44,000)
  Kuiper belt (>1,000)
(scale in AU; epoch as of January 2015; # of objects in parentheses)

These Solar System minor planets are the farthest from the Sun as of June 2021. The objects have been categorized by their approximate current distance from the Sun, and not by the calculated aphelion of their orbit. The list changes over time because the objects are moving. Some objects are inbound and some are outbound. It would be difficult to detect long-distance comets if it were not for their comas, which become visible when heated by the Sun. Distances are measured in astronomical units (AU, Sun–Earth distances). The distances are not the minimum (perihelion) or the maximum (aphelion) that may be achieved by these objects in the future.

This list does not include near-parabolic comets of which many are known to be currently more than 100 AU (15 billion km) from the Sun, but are currently too far away to be observed by telescope. Trans-Neptunian objects are typically announced publicly months or years after their discovery, so as to make sure the orbit is correct before announcing it. Due to their greater distance from the Sun and slow movement across the sky, trans-Neptunian objects with observation arcs less than several years often have poorly constrained orbits. Particularly distant objects take several years of observations to establish a crude orbit solution before being announced. For instance, the most distant known trans-Neptunian object 2018 AG37 was discovered by Scott Sheppard in January 2018 but was announced three years later in February 2021.[1]

Noted objects[]

One particularly distant body is 90377 Sedna, which was discovered in November 2003. Although it takes over 10,000 years to orbit, during the next 50 years it will slowly move closer to the Sun as it comes to perihelion at a distance of 76 AU from the Sun.[2] Sedna is the largest known sednoid, a class of objects that play an important role in the Planet Nine hypothesis.

Pluto (30–49 AU, about 34 AU in 2015) was the first Kuiper belt object to be discovered (1930) and is the largest known dwarf planet.

Gallery[]

  • Notable trans-Neptunian objects

  • Halley's Comet imaged by the VLT at magnitude 28 when the object was located 28 AU from the Sun in 2003

  • Eris and its moon Dysnomia as viewed with the Hubble Space Telescope, 2007

  • Makemake viewed with the Hubble Space Telescope, 2006

  • Sedna viewed with Hubble Space Telescope, 2004

The orbit of Sedna, shown in red, with the dot marking its current location. Inside are the orbits of the giant planets of the Solar System, and that of Pluto in purple. Sedna will travel out nearly 1000 AU, taking almost six millennia to do so. It is currently less than 100 AU from the Sun.

Known distant objects[]

This is a list of known objects at heliocentric distances of more than 60 AU. In theory, the Oort Cloud could extend over 120,000 AU (2 ly) from the Sun.

Most distant observable objects in the Solar System as of June 2021[3]
Object name Distance from the Sun (AU) Radial velocity
(AU/yr)[a] 		Perihelion Aphelion Semimajor
axis 		Apparent
magnitude 		Absolute
magnitude (H) 		Important dates
June 2021 December 2015 Discovered Announced
Great Comet of 1680
(for comparison) 		258.0[4] 255.4[4] +0.47[4] 0.006 889 444 Unknown Unknown 1680-11-14 N/A
Voyager 1
(for comparison) 		152.9[4] 133.3[4] +3.57[4] 8.90 ∞
Hyperbolic		 −3.2[5] ~50 ~28 N/A N/A
2018 AG37 132.9±1.8 131.9±10.7 ±0.2(?) 27.1 145.0 86.0 25.4 4.2 2018-01-15 2021-02-10
Pioneer 10
(for comparison) 		128.6[4] 114.8[4] +2.51[4] 4.94 ∞
Hyperbolic		 ~49 ~29 N/A N/A
Voyager 2
(for comparison) 		127.2[4] 109.7[4] +3.17[4] 21.2 ∞
Hyperbolic		 −4.0[5] ~48 ~28 N/A N/A
2018 VG18 123.6 123.2 +0.06 37.8 123.9 81.3 24.6 3.7 2018-11-10 2018-12-17
Pioneer 11
(for comparison) 		105.5[4] 92.5[4] +2.35[4] 9.45 ∞
Hyperbolic		 ~48 ~29 N/A N/A
2020 FY30 98.9 99.9 –0.17 35.6 107.7 71.6 24.8 4.7 2020-03-24 2021-02-14
2020 FA31 97.3 96.5 +0.14 39.5 102.4 71.0 25.4 5.4 2020-03-24 2021-02-14
Eris
136199 		95.9 96.3 −0.07 38.3 97.5 67.9 18.8 −1.1 2003-10-21 2005-07-29
2015 TH367[b] 90.3 88.2 +0.42 28.9 136.4 82.6 26.3 6.6 2015-10-13 2018-03-13
2014 UZ224 89.5 92.0 −0.45 38.3 177.0 107.6 23.2 3.4 2014-10-21 2016-08-28
Gonggong
225088 		88.7 87.4 +0.23 33.7 101.2 67.5 21.5 1.6 2007-07-17 2009-01-07
87.2 87.9 −0.14 36.2 92.1 64.1 25.5 6.0 2015-03-17 2019-03-27
2014 FC69 85.5 84.1 +0.26 40.4 104.4 72.4 24.2 4.6 2014-03-25 2015-02-11
2006 QH181 84.6 83.3 +0.22 37.5 96.7 67.1 23.7 4.3 2006-08-21 2006-11-05
Sedna
90377 		84.2 85.8 −0.29 76.3 892.6 484.4 21.0 1.3 2003-11-14 2004-03-15
84.3 82.5 +0.32 38.3 113.2 75.8 25.5 5.9 2015-11-06 2018-10-02
2012 VP113 84.2 83.3 +0.16 80.4 442.6 261.5 23.5 4.0 2012-11-05 2014-03-26
2013 FS28 83.5 85.9 −0.62 34.2 358.2 196.2 24.3 4.9 2013-03-16 2016-08-29
82.8 80.4 +0.44 42.0 110.0 76.0 25.2 5.8 2017-09-16 2019-02-10
[b] 81.3 82.3 −0.19 34.3 90.0 62.2 25.2 6.0 2015-10-16 2018-03-12
2013 FY27
532037 		79.7 80.3 −0.10 35.2 82.1 58.7 22.2 3.2 2013-03-17 2014-03-31
[b] 79.4 77.1 +0.42 33.6 128.1 80.9 25.8 6.7 2015-10-13 2018-03-13
2017 FO161 78.1 79.1 −0.18 34.1 85.5 59.8 23.3 4.3 2017-03-23 2018-04-02
Leleākūhonua
541132 		77.6 79.8 −0.40 65.2 2,106 1,085 24.6 5.5 2015-10-13 2018-10-01
77.2 74.1 –0.58 38.4 287.9 163.2 25.0 6.2 2018-01-15 2021-02-13
75.8 76.8 –0.19 34.4 83.3 59.1 24.5 5.6 2020-03-24 2021-02-14
75.3 75.4 –0.01 27.3 75.4 51.4 25.3 6.5 2018-01-18 2021-02-18
2010 GB174 73.6 70.7 +0.54 48.7 630.7 339.7 25.3 6.5 2010-04-12 2013-04-30
73.4 72.4 +0.19 37.6 81.5 59.5 24.8 5.8 2015-11-06 2018-10-03
72.6 70.1 +0.46 38.4 148.2 93.3 24.4 5.6 2014-03-24 2016-08-31
[b] 71.2 71.5 −0.04 36.2 71.7 54.0 24.9 6.1 2016-10-06 2018-04-02
71.0 72.1 −0.19 32.5 78.4 55.5 24.6 5.8 2015-04-13 2018-09-02
69.7 72.1 –0.44 37.7 136.0 86.8 24.7 6.1 2015-11-07 2018-10-03
69.3 67.5 +0.32 34.7 90.5 62.6 25.6 6.8 2015-09-08 2018-10-01
68.8 68.4 +0.07 41.9 70.1 56.0 25.8 7.2 2012-03-25 2016-06-07
68.7 69.9 –0.21 35.0 79.0 57.0 25.0 6.6 2019-01-11 2021-02-14
68.6 68.2 +0.07 38.2 69.7 54.0 25.2 6.6 2015-04-13 2016-08-31
2013 FQ28 68.4 67.3 +0.19 45.6 80.0 62.7 24.5 6.0 2013-03-17 2016-06-07
68.3 68.5 –0.24 36.5 68.8 52.7 25.7 7.1 2011-04-04 2016-08-31
67.6 68.1 –0.10 40.4 70.0 55.2 25.0 6.5 2015-04-14 2016-06-07
67.2 66.2 +0.18 37.5 74.0 55.8 25.7 7.3 2016-02-05 2018-03-13
67.2 69.7 –0.46 37.8 139.3 88.5 25.2 6.9 2018-01-15 2021-02-13
66.7 65.7 +0.18 36.7 73.3 55.0 24.5 6.1 2014-10-22 2017-12-07
66.2 68.3 –0.39 40.0 119.4 79.7 25.6 7.3 2016-04-10 2020-06-04
66.1 69.2 –0.56 38.6 253.6 146.1 25.3 7.0 2016-04-10 2020-06-03
66.1 63.3 +0.50 38.0 167.1 102.5 25.1 6.8 2014-03-26 2016-08-31
[b] 66.1 62.7 +0.60 34.3 225.2 129.8 25.6 7.3 2020-05-29 2020-09-25
[b] 65.8 63.7 +0.37 42.3 114.3 78.3 25.0 6.7 2016-10-06 2020-06-04
65.7 62.7 +0.56 36.9 210.6 123.8 25.1 6.8 2015-09-05 2019-03-27
[b] 65.7 68.0 –0.42 31.0 104.1 67.6 24.6 6.5 2020-01-26 2021-02-23
65.4 64.8 +0.11 37.2 67.4 52.3 25.4 7.0 2013-10-28 2016-08-31
65.2 63.8 +0.26 35.9 78.6 57.3 25.1 6.9 2014-03-25 2018-04-02
65.1 65.9 –0.15 39.1 70.5 54.8 26.0 7.7 2018-01-15 2019-03-27
65.0 65.2 –0.03 38.0 65.3 51.6 25.6 7.2 2015-05-18 2018-03-13
65.0 67.8 –0.51 35.2 152.2 93.7 24.9 6.8 2018-11-10 2019-02-10
[b] 65.0 65.0 -0.01 64.6 67.1 65.9 26.4 8.2 2020-05-29 2020-09-25
2014 FE72 64.8 60.8 +0.72 36.3 2,682 1,359 24.4 6.1 2014-03-26 2016-08-29
64.5 63.6 +0.16 41.2 70.1 55.7 24.4 6.1 2015-05-20 2018-05-31
[b] 64.2 61.0 +0.59 28.5 157.0 92.8 25.4 7.2 2014-09-18 2016-08-31
2013 AT183 63.4 61.8 +0.33 35.5 87.7 61.6 23.0 4.9 2013-01-10 2016-07-26
2000 CR105
148209 		63.3 60.4 +0.53 44.1 388.1 216.1 24.1 6.3 2000-02-06 2000-03-16
62.9 63.8 –0.15 34.4 67.5 50.9 24.6 6.5 2015-09-07 2018-03-12
62.9 62.4 +0.09 44.6 65.9 55.2 25.2 7.2 2018-01-15 2021-02-14
[b] 62.4 62.9 –0.09 36.6 64.2 50.4 24.9 7.0 2020-01-26 2021-02-23
62.3 61.3 +0.18 39.0 68.9 54.0 25.5 7.5 2015-11-07 2018-03-14
62.3 60.2 +0.37 38.3 100.8 69.6 24.7 6.7 2019-03-06 2021-02-14
62.2 64.2 –0.37 38.1 101.4 69.8 23.7 5.5 2015-05-20 2018-05-31
62.2 62.8 –0.11 44.6 65.9 55.2 25.4 7.3 2018-11-08 2021-02-14
2008 ST291
528381 		62.1 59.7 +0.44 42.4 158.8 100.6 22.4 4.4 2008-09-24 2009-11-14
62.0 62.8 –0.16 36.8 67.4 52.1 24.7 6.6 2018-01-15 2019-02-10
61.9 59.8 +0.39 40.6 60.4 50.5 25.2 7.2 2017-02-24 2018-04-02
61.9 62.9 –0.19 35.2 68.8 52.0 25.4 7.3 2017-11-15 2019-03-27
61.7 63.2 –0.27 34.3 76.7 55.5 25.4 7.2 2015-09-08 2018-10-02
2015 RR245
523794 		61.7 64.4 –0.48 34.1 129.4 81.7 22.2 3.8 2015-09-09 2016-07-10
61.7 60.8 +0.16 30.1 65.0 47.5 24.9 6.9 2017-03-25 2019-03-27
61.2 59.7 +0.29 34.1 76.8 55.5 24.2 6.2 2014-03-25 2016-08-31
61.0 58.2 +0.51 34.0 136.7 85.3 24.6 6.7 2015-04-13 2018-10-03
60.8 59.4 +0.27 40.1 80.5 60.3 25.3 7.3 2016-10-06 2020-06-03
2014 SV349 60.6 62.5 –0.34 34.0 90.0 62.0 23.1 5.2 2014-09-19 2016-08-31
60.6 59.9 +0.14 36.7 64.0 50.4 24.8 6.9 2014-03-24 2016-08-31
60.5 58.8 +0.31 35.2 80.8 58.0 25.6 7.5 2015-03-17 2018-03-12
2015 KH162 60.5 59.0 +0.27 41.6 82.5 62.1 22.1 4.1 2015-05-18 2016-02-23
60.5 61.1 –0.10 42.8 63.8 53.3 24.6 6.8 2018-05-10 2019-03-27
60.5 63.6 –0.57 39.9 307.0 173.4 25.1 7.1 2016-10-07 2020-06-04
60.4 58.3 +0.37 22.5 75.6 49.1 24.3 6.2 2013-05-08 2015-09-13
2003 QX113 60.4 59.9 +0.10 37.5 62.3 49.9 22.9 5.1 2003-08-31 2006-04-22
60.3 61.1 –0.15 36.3 65.1 50.7 23.8 5.8 2017-07-26 2019-03-27
60.2 60.6 –0.07 43.7 61.8 52.8 24.4 6.4 2016-10-06 2020-06-03
60.0 61.8 –0.32 33.0 81.1 57.0 25.6 7.7 2018-11-08 2021-02-14
This table includes all observable objects currently located at least 60 AU from the Sun.[3]


  1. ^ AU/yr indicates whether the object is moving inwards or outwards in its orbit, and the rate at which it does so.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j Distance and orbital elements are crudely estimated based on a short observation arc.

See also[]

Objects with very large aphelia

References[]

  1. ^ "MPEC 2021-C187 : 2018 AG37". Minor Planet Electronic Circular. Minor Planet Center. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  2. ^ Most Distant Object In Solar System Discovered; NASA.gov; (2004)
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "AstDyS-2, Asteroids – Dynamic Site". Retrieved 1 February 2021. Objects with distance from Sun over 50 AU
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System. "JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris". Retrieved 10 February 2021.
    Ephemeris Type: Vector; Observer Location: @sun; Time Span: Start=2015-12-01, Stop=2021-06-01, Intervals=1; Table Settings: quantities code=6
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/science/hyperbolic-orbital-elements/
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