  Asteroids that follow similar orbits may have a dynamical connection as their
current paths could be the result of a past interaction with a massive
perturber. The pair of extreme trans-Neptunian objects or ETNOs (474640) 2004
VN112-2013 RF98 exhibits peculiar relative orbital properties, including a
difference in longitude of the ascending node of just 1.61 degrees and 3.99
degrees in inclination. In addition, their reflectance spectra are similar in
the visible portion of the spectrum. The origin of these similarities remains
unclear. Neglecting observational bias, viable scenarios that could explain
this level of coincidence include fragmentation and binary dissociation. Here,
we present results of extensive direct N-body simulations of close encounters
between wide binary ETNOs and one trans-Plutonian planet. We find that wide
binary ETNOs can dissociate during such interactions and the relative orbital
properties of the resulting unbound couples match reasonably well those of
several pairs of known ETNOs, including 474640-2013 RF98. The possible presence
of former binaries among the known ETNOs has strong implications for the
interpretation of the observed anisotropies in the distributions of the
directions of their orbital poles and perihelia.
