20187

20187 refers to a specific identifier used in various contexts, most notably as the designation for the minor planet discovered in the outer solar system. Officially named **20187 (1998 WT24)**, it is classified as a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) and belongs to the scattered disc population. This classification places it beyond the orbit of Neptune, making it part of the distant and icy regions of the solar system.

The object was first observed on November 28, 1998, by astronomers using the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii. Its designation follows the standard naming convention for minor planets, where the year of discovery (1998) and the sequential order of observation (WT24) are combined with a provisional prefix. Over time, its orbit has been studied to refine its classification and trajectory.

20187 (1998 WT24) has an estimated diameter of around 100 kilometers, though exact measurements remain uncertain due to its distance and limited observational data. Like many TNOs, it is believed to be composed of frozen volatiles, such as methane, nitrogen, and water ice, along with silicate materials. Its orbital period is significantly longer than that of the major planets, taking hundreds of years to complete a single revolution around the Sun.

Beyond its astronomical significance, 20187 (1998 WT24) serves as a subject of interest for researchers studying the formation and evolution of the outer solar system. Its study contributes to understanding the dynamics of scattered disc objects and their role in the broader context of planetary science. While not as widely recognized as larger or more prominent celestial bodies, it remains an important data point in the ongoing exploration of the solar system's fringes.