American scientists from the University of Brigham Yang discovered a rare example of the tasks of the three bodies, in the solar system – a system of three objects linked together. She is located in the Kuiper belt behind the Neptune. The study was published in scientific publications of the planet science magazine (PSJ).
The three system, of which the three bodies are connected to each other, is one of the most difficult tasks in astronomy. Their trajectory mechanics are so complicated that even the smallest change in the orbit of one of the objects may violate the balance of the entire system. This phenomenon is known as the problem of three agencies, inspired many scientific works and even science fiction novels of the same name.
Nakhodka named 148780 Altjira. Previously, this system was considered twice, but the latest observations showed one of the big tape objects that could really be some smaller bodies.
In the next 10 years, the Altjira system will be brought into the “eclipse season” when the outside body will usually lie between the inner body and the sun. This will allow astronomers to conduct more detailed observations and clarify the system's orbital drivers.
If Altjira truly becomes a three system, it will become such a second system in the Kuiper belt. The first is the 47171 Lempo system, originally considered double.
Earlier, astronomers found an unknown structure in the Kuiper belt.