98561

The designation **98561** is primarily associated with astronomical observations and cataloging systems. It is a minor planet number assigned to an object in the outer region of the Solar System. The body, officially named **2001 QG298**, was discovered on August 21, 2001, by astronomers at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii. It is classified as a trans-Neptunian object (TNO), meaning it orbits the Sun at a greater distance than Neptune, placing it in the Kuiper Belt region.

2001 QG298 (98561) has an estimated diameter of approximately 100 kilometers, based on observations of its brightness and assumed albedo. Its orbit is highly elliptical, with a semi-major axis of around 45 astronomical units (AU), meaning it varies significantly in distance from the Sun over its 330-year orbital period. The object’s inclination is relatively high at about 20 degrees compared to the plane of Earth’s orbit, suggesting a dynamic and possibly chaotic orbital path influenced by gravitational interactions with Neptune and other massive bodies.

Due to its distant and cold environment, 98561 remains poorly characterized compared to closer asteroids or comets. Its surface composition and physical properties are not well-documented, though it likely contains a mix of ices and dark organic materials typical of Kuiper Belt objects. The designation 98561 reflects its place in the numbered minor planet catalog maintained by the Minor Planet Center, an organization responsible for tracking and naming small Solar System bodies.

While not a well-known object in popular culture or space exploration, 98561 serves as an example of the vast and diverse population of icy bodies in the outer Solar System, contributing to the broader understanding of planetary formation and the dynamics of the Kuiper Belt.