New Dwarf Planet Candidate Discovered Beyond Pluto

Published 19h ago · Latest report 2h ago · Discovery

Affects Chile · Covered in 2 countries

AI summary39s readPositive

Astronomers spotted a potential new dwarf planet orbiting past Pluto using a telescope in Chile.

Researchers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile have spotted a distant icy body located past Pluto. The object, temporarily designated 2026 ED138, is among the initial discoveries made by the new observatory facility.

The designationAstronomers have temporarily cataloged the distant celestial body as 2026 ED138.
The locationThe newly identified icy candidate orbits the Sun far beyond the orbit of Pluto.
The instrumentResearchers detected the object using the newly operational Vera C. Rubin Observatory stationed in Chile.

Why it matters

Discoveries of distant icy bodies at the far edges of our solar system help astronomers understand planetary formation and the population of celestial objects residing beyond Neptune and Pluto. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is expected to revolutionize astronomical surveys by mapping the southern sky with unprecedented depth.

Timeline2

Oct 27Researchers identified the potential new dwarf planet designated 2026 ED138 using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.
Oct 28Scientists announced the identification of the icy object orbiting beyond Pluto.

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What outlets agree on

Researchers using a telescope facility in Chile have identified an icy celestial body orbiting beyond Pluto that qualifies as a potential dwarf planet.

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