It orbits the Sun at a distance of 2.5–105 AU once every 396 years (semi-major axis of 53.92 AU). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.95 and an inclination of 119° with respect to the ecliptic.[2] The body's observation arc begins with a precovery taken by Astrovirtel (I03) at ESO's La Silla Observatory in February 2001, or 19 months prior to its official discovery observation at Anderson Mesa.[1]
In October 2010, a rotational lightcurve of 2002 RP120 was obtained from photometric observations by French amateur astronomer René Roy . Lightcurve analysis gave a rotation period of 200 hours with a brightness amplitude of 0.6 magnitude, indicative of an elongated, non-spherical shape (U=2).[6] With a rotation period above 100 hours, it is a typical slow rotator.
Diameter and albedo
According to the survey of minor-planet albedos of bodies in a comet-like orbit, carried out by Yanga Fernández in collaboration with David Jewitt and Scott Sheppard at the Institute for Astronomy, Hawaii, 2002 RP120 measures 14.6 kilometers in diameter and its surface has an albedo of 0.098.[2][5] Johnston's archive gives a rounded figure of 15 kilometers.[3]
