Ammonite or 2023 KQ14 is a newly discovered sednoid. a rare trans‑Neptunian object with an extreme elongated orbit beyond Neptune. Discovered in mid‑2023 by the FOSSIL survey team using Subaru Telescope and later confirmed via archival data, it challenges prevailing ideas about the existence of a hypothetical Planet Nine .The nickname draws from fossil ammonite shells, symbolizing its ancient, fossil‑like stable orbit since the early solar system .
Scientific Data Table : Ammonite or 2023 KQ14
| Parameter | Value / Range |
| Designation | 2023 KQ14 (“Ammonite”) |
| Discovery Date | 16 May 2023 |
| Discovering Team | FOSSIL survey, Subaru Telescope (NAOJ) |
| Discovery Site | Maunakea Observatory |
| Orbit Period | ≈ 3,998 years |
| Eccentricity | ≈ 0.7385 |
| Perihelion (q) | ~65.9–66 AU |
| Aphelion (Q) | ~438 AU |
| Semi‑major axis (a) | ~252 AU |
| Inclination | ~10.98° |
| Estimated Diameter | ~100–300 km (based on albedo 0.05–0.15) |
| Observation Arc | ~19.2 years |
| Magnitude | ~25.4 apparent magnitude |
Note : All data from Nature Astronomy discovery report and summary sources (Wikipedia, ScienceAlert).
How and Who Discovered “ Ammonite or 2023 KQ14 ”
Survey and Observations
- Initial detection occurred in March, May and August 2023, using Subaru Telescope’s Hyper Suprime‑Cam under the FOSSIL (“Formation of the Outer Solar System: an Icy Legacy”) project.
- In July 2024, follow-up observations using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope successfully confirmed the presence of the object.
- By analyzing nearly two decades of archival data, astronomers were able to trace its path going back 19 years, helping them accurately determine its orbit and classify it as a sednoid.
Discoverers : Ammonite or 2023 KQ14
The international team is led by researchers from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and Academia Sinica in Taiwan, including Dr. Fumi Yoshida, Yukun Huang, Shiang‑Yu Wang, and others. Their findings were officially published in the Nature Astronomy journal in July 2025.
Why Ammonite or 2023 KQ14 is 9th Planet ?
Sednoid Classification
- Ammonite belongs to the ultra‑rare group of only four known sednoids, along with Sedna, 2012 VP113, and Leleākūhonua.
- These are extreme trans‑Neptunian objects (ETNOs) with high perihelia, well beyond Neptune’s gravitational influence .
Planet Nine Hypothesis
- For years, the clustered orientations of known sednoid orbits supported the hypothesis of a distant Planet Nine, whose gravity corrals them.
- Ammonite’s orbit stands out from the typical sednoid cluster—its aphelion is positioned on the opposite side of the solar system—challenging the straightforward explanation offered by the Planet Nine hypothesis.
- Simulations show it has maintained a stable orbit for ~4.5 billion years, pointing to a primordial origin and suggesting a more complex outer system history .
Summary
“Ammonite” (2023 KQ14) is a newly discovered sednoid with a highly eccentric orbit far beyond Neptune. Its unusual orbital orientation challenges the Planet Nine hypothesis by not fitting the established clustering of other sednoids. Its existence suggests the solar system’s outer reaches are more varied and complex in comparison to previously thought. Follow-up observations and new surveys (e.g., Vera C. Rubin Observatory) are expected to shed more light.
Frequently Asked Questions :
- What is Ammonite (2023 KQ14)?
Ammonite or 2023 KQ14 ” is a newly discovered sednoid. a rare trans‑Neptunian object with an extreme elongated orbit beyond Neptune. - Why is it called “Ammonite”?
Named after ancient ammonite fossils—its stable orbit is analogous to a fossil imprint of early solar system history . - How big is Ammonite?
Estimated diameter ranges from ~100 to 300 km, assuming typical albedo values. - When and how was it discovered?
First spotted in 2023 via Subaru Telescope, confirmed in 2024, and its orbit traced using archival data over ~19 years. - What makes it different from other sednoids?
Its orbit does not cluster with the others, unlike Sedna, 2012 VP113, and Leleākūhonua. - Does Ammonite prove Planet Nine doesn’t exist?
Not conclusively—but its orbit makes the simplest Planet Nine scenario less likely . - What is a sednoid?
A type of extreme trans‑Neptunian object with perihelion ≫ Neptune’s orbit, decoupled from planetary influence.
Frequently Asked Questions :
- Why are sednoids important?
They hold clues to the early solar system’s formation and any unseen massive influences. - Can Ammonite have moons or rings?
Its small size and distance make detection of satellites very difficult with current technology. - Will we ever visit Ammonite?
Highly unlikely—the travel time and energy needed for an unmanned mission would be enormous. - What did the FOSSIL survey aim to do?
To map outer solar system objects and understand the icy bodies at the fringes. - What observatories will help find more objects like it?
The Subaru Telescope continues surveys; future power comes from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory scanning the southern sky nightly. - How long will Ammonite’s orbit last?
Simulations suggest a stable orbit over ~4.5 billion years. - Have scientists given it an official name?
Not yet—the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will assign a formal name when it receives a permanent catalog number.
Conclusion
The discovery of Ammonite (2023 KQ14) marks a significant milestone in solar system exploration. As only the fourth known sednoid, its unique orbital properties challenge existing theories—especially the Planet Nine hypothesis—and open new avenues for understanding the early dynamics of the outer solar system. Future discoveries under the FOSSIL project and next‑generation surveys promise to further unravel these mysteries.
References
- Wikipedia entry on 2023 KQ14 / Ammonite (Astronomy Magazine)
- ScienceAlert, Astronomy.com, SciTechDaily summaries of the discovery and its implications (SciTechDaily)
- Live Science, BGR and Smithsonian magazine articles on challenges to Planet Nine theory (BGR)
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