Centaur group
type: Concept
contributor: AAS Frey.Katie Admin
contributor: AAS Frey.Katie
modified: 2020-10-26T19:36:58.14Z
modified: 2020-12-09T15:41:01.983Z
alternative label: Centaurs
alternative label: Centaur asteroids
broader: Asteroids
definition: An asteroid whose orbit around the Sun lies typically between the orbits of Jupiter and Neptune (5 to 30 astronomical units). The first Centaur, called Chiron, was discovered in 1977, but since then more than 100 roughly similar objects have been found. Three centaurs, Chiron, 60558 Echeclus, and 166P/NEAT 2001 T4, have been found to display cometary comas. Chiron and 60558 Echeclus are now classified as both asteroids and comets. Most of the Centaur asteroids are probably dormant comets from the Kuiper belt which have been pulled in by the gravity of outer planets.
scope note: Not to be confused with Centaurus meteor shower.

Asteroids
type: Concept
narrower: Centaur group