Using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, scientists have identified a large trans-Neptunian object, 2026 ED138, which may be one of the largest dwarf planets ever found.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Astronomers have identified a potential dwarf planet, known as 2026 ED138, located in the outer reaches of the solar system. The discovery was announced on October 27 and was made using observations from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a facility in Chile jointly funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science.
Researchers identified the object as a trans-Neptunian object, meaning it orbits the sun beyond Neptune. According to the observatory, the object was spotted on October 13 by astronomer Matthew Holman, who was using computer software developed with colleague Kevin Napier to search through telescope data.
Estimates regarding the size of 2026 ED138 vary slightly between reports:
The object is currently located approximately 4.3 billion miles from the sun, which is farther than Pluto's average distance of about 3.7 billion miles. The U.S. National Science Foundation states the object is located approximately 46 astronomical units from the sun.
Officials stated that the object had remained undetected because it was located in a crowded region of the sky near the Milky Way, where millions of stars made it difficult for earlier telescopes to detect.
"Rubin Observatory’s regular and continuous monitoring of the entire Southern Hemisphere sky, combined with powerful algorithms that sift through millions to billions of points of light to identify those corresponding to small moving objects, enabled the team to spot ED138 within the crowded field," the observatory said in a statement.
Scientists intend to conduct further observations to determine the object's exact size and confirm if it qualifies as a dwarf planet. If confirmed, 2026 ED138 would join the five officially recognized dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake.
"If confirmed as a dwarf planet, ED138 would join a very small family of worlds," Holman said in a statement.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory began its 10-year survey of the sky in June 2026. The facility uses the world's largest digital camera to search for previously unseen objects. According to Kathy Turner, Department of Energy Program manager for Rubin Observatory, the facility's strengths allow for investigating a wide range of astrophysical phenomena, from dark energy to the discovery of this dwarf planet candidate.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Data from NASA's Artemis I mission shows that while cosmic radiation near the Moon is higher than in low Earth orbit, the difference is less extreme than previously anticipated.
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk and NASA astronaut Anil Menon will perform a spacewalk to install solar arrays on the International Space Station.
