~910 km
ESTIMATED DIAMETER
~245 YEARS
ORBITAL PERIOD
~39 AU
AVERAGE DISTANCE FROM SUN
2004
DISCOVERED
VANTH
KNOWN MOON
PLUTOID
TRANS-NEPTUNIAN OBJECT
THE ANTI-PLUTO
Orcus is a large trans-Neptunian object
and dwarf-planet candidate located in
the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune.
It was discovered in 2004 and follows
an orbit around the Sun that is similar
in size and period to Pluto's orbit, but
with a different orientation.
Because of this relationship, Orcus is
sometimes informally called the
"anti-Pluto."
Orcus has a large natural satellite named
Vanth. The two bodies are relatively close
in size compared with many other
planet-moon systems.
The surface of Orcus is believed to contain
water ice and other frozen materials.
Its distant orbit takes it hundreds of
years to complete one revolution around
the Sun.
ORCUS FEATURES
VANTH
Orcus has a remarkably large moon
called Vanth, making the system
unusual among distant dwarf planets.
ANTI-PLUTO
Orcus and Pluto have similar orbital
periods, but their orbits are oriented
very differently.
KUIPER BELT
Orcus is located in the distant
Kuiper Belt, a region filled with
ancient icy objects.
DID YOU KNOW?
Orcus and Vanth form an unusual
system where the moon is relatively
large compared with its parent body.
ORBONIX · KUIPER BELT
ORCUS · VANTH SYSTEM
ORCUS · VANTH SYSTEM