Trans-Neptunian Object discoveries at KMTNet-CTIO

We report a multi-opposition discovery of 17 Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs) with the Chilean node of the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet-CTIO) which has a 1.6 m wide-field optical telescope covering 2x2 square degree field of view. The first survey observations were made with 4 fields around (RA,DEC = 197.6°, -7.9°) every other day from April 5 to April 15, 2019, and recovery observations were carried out every year since then. More than half of the 17 objects were not initially observed in 2019 but were discovered in later years. The observed R magnitudes of discovered TNOs are from ~22 to ~24 and their H magnitudes are estimated to be from 6.6 to 8.5. Of the 17 TNOs, two objects, 2021 GU122 and 2022 GV6, have been found to be detached objects with perihelion distance greater than 40 AU. 2022 GV6 has an estimated semi-major axis of 110 AU and is currently passing near its perihelion. Most objects have current heliocentric distance around 40 AU but one object, 2022 FA7, is at ~ 50 AU. In addition to the 17 multi-opposition objects, 7 more single-opposition objects received their provisional designations by Minor Planet Center. This marked the first TNO discovery in South Korea although the telescope itself is located overseas.