15 publishers · first seen Tue, 27 Oct 2026 21:00 UTC · updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 02:20 UTC
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has discovered a potential new dwarf planet, 2026 ED138, in the outer reaches of the solar system. The object, estimated to be between 600 and 1,500 kilometers in diameter, is located about 46 astronomical units from the Sun, beyond the orbit of Pluto. If confirmed, it would be the sixth recognized dwarf planet in the solar system, joining Pluto, Ceres, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. The discovery was made by analyzing data collected by the observatory, which is equipped with the largest digital camera ever built for astronomy. The object's orbit is tilted relative to the plane of the solar system, suggesting a possible gravitational interaction with Neptune. Further observations are needed to confirm its size and shape, and thus its classification as a dwarf planet.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, located in Chile, has been instrumental in the discovery of 2026 ED138. The observatory's powerful camera and advanced algorithms enabled the detection of the object, which had previously evaded observation due to its location near the plane of the Milky Way.
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