An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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A → Kuiper belt object discovered in 2004. It has a large satellite named Vanth. Orcus is similar to → Quaoar in size and may be classified as a → dwarf planet.

Named for the ancient Roman god of the underworld, identified with the Greek Pluto, or Hades. The name was chosen because it shares a similar size, orbit, and orbital inclination to that of Pluto.