83521

The designation "83521" is primarily associated with the asteroid **83521 (2001 QP142)**, a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) located in the scattered disc region of the outer Solar System. Discovered on August 22, 2001, by astronomers at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, it is classified as a plutino, meaning its orbital resonance with Neptune (3:2) places it in a stable orbit similar to that of Pluto.

83521 has an estimated diameter of approximately 300 kilometers, making it one of the larger objects in the scattered disc. Its surface composition is believed to be rich in ices, including water, methane, and possibly nitrogen, similar to other distant icy bodies. Observations suggest it may have a reddish hue, possibly due to surface tholins—complex organic compounds formed by solar radiation interacting with methane.

Due to its distant orbit, 83521 takes roughly 300 years to complete a single revolution around the Sun. Its perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) is around 30 astronomical units (AU), while its aphelion (farthest point) extends beyond 50 AU. The object has not been extensively studied, and much of its physical and orbital characteristics remain inferred from limited observations.

Beyond astronomy, "83521" has no widely recognized cultural, numerical, or industrial significance. It serves primarily as a catalog identifier in astronomical databases, distinguishing it from other celestial bodies. Further study of such distant objects helps scientists understand the formation and evolution of the outer Solar System.