1996 PW
is an exceptionally eccentric trans-Neptunian object and damocloid on an orbit typical of long-period comets but one that showed no sign of cometary activity around the time it was discovered. The unusual object measures approximately in diameter and has a rotation period of 35.4 hours and likely an elongated shape.Description
orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.5–504 AU once every 4,033 years. Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.99 and an inclination of 30° with respect to the ecliptic.
Simulations indicate that it has most likely come from the Oort cloud, with a roughly equal probability of being an extinct comet and a rocky body that was originally scattered into the Oort cloud. The discovery of prompted theoretical research that suggests that roughly 1 to 2 percent of the Oort cloud objects are rocky.
was first observed on 9 August 1996 by the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking automated search camera on Haleakala Observatory, Hawaii. It is the first object that is not an active comet discovered on an orbit typical of long-period comets.
has a rotation period of hours and a double-peaked lightcurve with a high amplitude of magnitude. Its spectrum is moderately red and featureless, typical of D-type asteroids and bare comet nuclei. Its spectrum suggests an extinct comet. The upper limit on 's dust production is.
