(174567) Varda Trans-Neptunian Object
Discovered on 21 June 2003 by J. A. Larsen at Kitt Peak.
In J.R.R. Tolkien's mythology, Varda is the queen of the stars, the star-kindler. She is the deity who, prior to the birth of the first humans, created the stars and constellations. She also set the vessels of the Sun and Moon upon their appointed courses above the girdle of the Earth. Ilmarë is Varda's handmaid. Ilmarë: Secondary discovered in 2009 by K. S. Noll et al. using the Hubble Space Telescope.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2014-01-16), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Varda is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Varda is 45.6 au from the Sun and 45.9 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 174567 |
| Provisional designation | 2003 MW12 |
| Orbit class | Trans-Neptunian Object |
| Rotation period | 5.91 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 3.46 |
| Orbital period | 307 years |
| Semi-major axis | 45.6 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 39.1 – 52.0 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.142 |
| Inclination | 21.5° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 38.1 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.