Planets Chiron and Friends - Centaurs, Icy Mini Planets
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© by Zane B. Stein

II. CHIRON'S FRIENDS

THE CENTAURS
After Chiron, there was a lag of many years with no new bodies discovered in that part of the solar system, so it was quite a shock when, in the early 1990's, a new body, very similar to Chiron, was found! (There are 97 Centaurs found so far, and there may be many more.) Read all about the Centaurs:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A CENTAUREAN ARTIST

M.C. Escher, the graphic artist, was greatly influenced by the Centaurs. Want to see his chart? Click here..

THE NEW PLANET(S)

On June 4, 1997, an Associated press article announced:

"Astronomers have found an icy miniplanet that orbits the sun well beyond Pluto, providing evidence that the solar system extends much farther than was once thought...."

This new body's discovery position turned out to be approximately 3 Taurus 08.
CHIRON WAS DISCOVERED WHEN IT WAS AT 3 TAURUS 08!
This links this new trans-Plutonian body, 15874 (1996 TL66), with Chiron.

And then, a few days later, the astronomers discovered a second icy mini planet out there,

19308 (1996 TO66).

For more information on both of these, as well as an ephemeris for each, go to
ICY MINI PLANETS

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