Vastapuolina

Vastapuolina is a minor planet, specifically a trans-Neptunian object (TNO), located in the outer reaches of the Solar System. It was discovered in 1993 and is about 196 kilometers in diameter.

Vastapuolina is classified as a plutino, a subclass of TNOs that follow a resonance with Neptune's orbit. This resonance causes the object's orbit to be tilted at an angle of about 10 degrees relative to the equator of the Solar System.

The name "Vastapuolina" is derived from the Västarp castle in Sweden, also known as Västarpboo, which has connections to the discovery of the object. Västarp castle was the home of astrophysicist Hans-Emil Richer, who was involved in the discovery of Vastapuolina.

Vastapuolina is an irregularly shaped object with a surface composition that is likely to be a mixture of rock and ice. Its surface indicates signs of collisional activity, which are common among small bodies in the outer Solar System.

Vastapuolina's highly inclined orbit leads to highly elliptical paths over the seasons. As a result, it oscillates wildly in temperature as it passes relatively close to the Sun or further away from it, potentially meaning that Vastapuolina exhibits geographic variations in temperature.

Efficient investigating of the surface temperature, as well as volatile contents by measuring an infrared spectrum, could advance comprehensive understanding of this small, eccentric celestial body.

There is currently limited knowledge about the meteoroid's structure and its potential fragility. However, those lines of research could possibly give crucial clues to understanding small body spectroscopy and enjoying diadem mini ores about our working distances.