Astronomers Identify Possible Sixth Dwarf Planet Beyond Neptune
Astronomers have discovered an object likely to be a new dwarf planet beyond Neptune, designated 2026 ED138.
Astronomers at the Vera Rubin Observatory have identified a new object beyond Neptune, suggesting it could be a sixth dwarf planet in our solar system. The object, designated 2026 ED138, measures between 600 and 1,500 kilometers (373 to 932 miles) in diameter, making it potentially large enough to be classified as a dwarf planet.
The discovery occurred during a data analysis conducted by astronomers Matthew Holman and Kevin Napier, who were examining past observations captured by the observatory. Holman expressed his initial disbelief at the find, stating, “Objects like this are very rare, so I immediately started checking whether I or the code had done something wrong.”
2026 ED138 was observed 30 times over 20 nights from March 4 to July 11 of this year. Its distance from the sun is approximately 46 astronomical units (AU), surpassing Pluto’s average distance of about 40 AU. The object’s orbit is tilted about 25 degrees relative to the solar system’s plane, suggesting past gravitational interactions with Neptune.
Further observations from the Dark Energy Camera at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory indicate that 2026 ED138 has been tracked back to 2016. The Rubin Observatory’s advanced technology, including a 3.2-gigapixel camera, enables astronomers to capture detailed images of the southern sky frequently, which is vital for identifying celestial objects obscured by the brightness of stars.
The classification of 2026 ED138 as a dwarf planet depends on future measurements to determine its mass. Holman noted, “If confirmed as a dwarf planet, ED138 would join a very small family of worlds.” The Vera Rubin Observatory will continue its Legacy Survey of Space and Time over the next decade, increasing the chances of discovering additional distant objects.
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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.