Scientists May Have Found New Dwarf Planet
Summary
Scientists at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory identified a possible dwarf planet, provisionally named 2026 ED138, beyond Pluto’s orbit. Its estimated size may be large enough for it to qualify, but more observations are needed to determine its true size and whether it meets the definition of a dwarf planet.Key Facts
- Matthew Holman of the Center for Astrophysics found the object while reviewing Rubin Observatory observations.
- Holman used software to search the observations on October 13, 2026.
- Scientists later found 2026 ED138 in more than 20 Rubin images taken between March and July.
- The object is about 46 times farther from the Sun than Earth is, beyond Pluto’s average distance of roughly 40 times Earth’s distance.
- Early estimates put its diameter at about 600 to 1,500 kilometers.
- The Vera C. Rubin Observatory began its 10-year southern-sky survey on June 30, 2026.
- Before the main survey began, Rubin data had yielded more than 11,000 previously unknown asteroids, including 33 near-Earth objects that posed no threat to Earth.
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