Introducing Ammonite: A Cosmic Wonder

A groundbreaking find is making waves in the astronomical community! Meet 'Ammonite,' an extraordinary new sednoid lurking on the edge of our Solar System. This intriguing object, officially designated as 2023 KQ14, has been nicknamed for its remarkable spiral, fossil-like orbit.

Rarity at Its Finest: Only the Fourth of Its Kind!

Joining the ranks of Sedna, 2012 VP113, and Leleākahonua, Ammonite is among the rarest space entities known to science. Each of these sednoids offers tantalizing clues about our celestial neighborhood.

Mind-Boggling Orbit: A Journey Through Space

With an orbit that stretches from approximately 66 astronomical units (AU) at its closest (perihelion) to a staggering 252 AU at its farthest (aphelion), this mid-sized object challenges our understanding of cosmic distances.

Gigantic Yet Mysterious: Size Specifications

Estimates suggest Ammonite's diameter ranges between 220 and 380 kilometers—an impressive scale that makes it roughly 40 times taller than Mount Everest!

A 4.5 Billion-Year-Old Time Capsule

Simulations reveal that Ammonite has maintained its peculiar orbit since the dawn of our Solar System. This 4.5 billion-year-old celestial artifact could hold secrets about the very formation of our cosmic neighborhood.

Rethinking Planet Nine: A Game Changer?

Unlike its sednoid cousins, Ammonite's orbit is uniquely anti-aligned, challenging the existing theories surrounding a mysterious 'Planet Nine' believed to be influencing the paths of distant objects.

Hints of Ancient Chaos in Our Solar System

The unusual orbital characteristics of Ammonite could suggest significant perturbations in the early Solar System, potentially triggered by a rogue star passage or the disappearance of a planet around 4.2 billion years ago.

FOSSIL Project Success: Uncovering Cosmic Treasures!

This remarkable discovery was made possible through the multinational FOSSIL survey utilizing the Subaru Telescope, alongside archival data dating back to 2005. It underscores the importance of wide-field searches in revealing the ancient relics of our Solar System.

Stay Tuned for More!

Ammonite is not just a new name in our cosmic catalog; it's a thrilling glimpse into the mysteries that lie at the fringes of our Solar System!