Ixion
Number
28978
Provisional name
2001 KX76
Class
Plutino
Discovery date
22.05.2001
Discovery chart
Discovery position
5° Sagittarius 35' Rx
Time of announcement
01.07.2001 - 3:44 UT
Orbital period
250.1 years
Orbit
  • crosses the orbits of Neptune and Pluto
Aphelion
49.377 AU
Perihelion
30.003 AU
Semimajor axis
39.690 AU
Magnitude
3.2
Diameter
430 - 1380 km

  Photograph copyright © Susanna Kauppinen. All rights reserved.
Photo: Copyright © Susanna Kauppinen.

Mythology
Ixion was king of the Lapiths. He killed his father-in-law by pushing him into a bed of burning coals and wood. Ixion was reckoned the first man guilty of kin-slaying in Greek mythology. Thereafter, Ixion lived as an outlaw.

Zeus had pity on Ixion and brought him to Olympus and introduced him at the table of the gods.

Instead of being grateful, Ixion grew lustful for Hera, Zeus's consort. Zeus found out about his intentions and made a cloud in the shape of Hera, which became known as Nephele, and tricked Ixion into coupling with it. From the union of Ixion and Nephele came Centauros.

Ixion was bind to a spinning fiery wheel in Tartarus for all eternity.

Ixion
 
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