20000 Varuna is a big Kuiper belt object (KBO). It could be a dwarf planet. Before it was named Varuna, it had the provisional designation 2000 WR106.
Varuna is named after the Hindu deity Varuṇa.
20000 Varuna
Questions and Answers
Q: What is 20000 Varuna?
A: 20000 Varuna is a large Kuiper belt object that may be considered a dwarf planet.
Q: What was 20000 Varuna's provisional designation before it was named Varuna?
A: 20000 Varuna was previously known as 2000 WR106.
Q: Who is Varuna?
A: Varuna is a Hindu deity after whom 20000 Varuna is named.
Q: What is the significance of Varuna being named after a Hindu deity?
A: The naming of 20000 Varuna after a Hindu deity reflects the international collaboration and diversity within the field of astronomy.
Q: What is the Kuiper belt?
A: The Kuiper belt is a region of the Solar System beyond Neptune's orbit that is filled with icy objects, including asteroids and comets.
Q: What is a dwarf planet?
A: A dwarf planet is a celestial object that orbits the Sun, has a spherical shape, but has not cleared its orbit of other debris.
Q: How does 20000 Varuna compare to other celestial bodies in our Solar System?
A: 20000 Varuna is a large Kuiper belt object, but is not as large as many of the planets or even some other dwarf planets, such as Pluto.