The Vera Rubin Observatory has identified 2026 ED138, a trans-Neptunian object that may qualify as a dwarf planet.
The Vera Rubin Observatory has announced the identification of a distant trans-Neptunian object, designated 2026 ED138, which could qualify as a dwarf planet beyond Pluto’s orbit. Located roughly 46 astronomical units from the Sun—further out than Pluto’s average distance of 40 AU—this object’s diameter is estimated to fall between 600 and 1500 kilometers.
This discovery was made by Matthew Holman from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. On October 13, 2023, while analyzing data from the observatory, Holman used a search algorithm developed with Kevin Napier. The Simonyi telescope captured 2026 ED138 thirty times over 20 nights, spanning from March 4 to July 11. Archival images from the DECam camera, part of the ADAM Precovery project, date back to 2016, providing a substantial timeline of observations.
"My initial reaction was excited disbelief. Objects like this are extremely rare, so I immediately started double-checking both myself and the code," Holman remarked.
Confirming 2026 ED138’s status as a dwarf planet will require additional infrared observations. If validated, it would become the sixth officially recognized dwarf planet in the Solar System, joining Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake.
The Rubin Observatory aims to repeatedly survey the entire southern sky over the next decade, enabling the detection of objects that may have been overlooked in previous surveys. "Rubin will scan the southern sky again and again for ten years, so any other hidden objects missed by earlier surveys are now within reach," Holman added.
According to the report, the object's orbit is tilted at an angle of 25° relative to the plane of the Solar System. Its trajectory was likely influenced by Neptune’s gravity. The discovery highlights the potential for the Rubin Observatory to reshape current models of Solar System formation and evolution through its ambitious survey plans.
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This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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