Scientists have found an enormous new dwarf planet beyond Pluto. And there could be many more
Astronomers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have discovered a new dwarf planet candidate, provisionally named 2026 ED138, located beyond Pluto's orbit. The object is considered potentially massive and could be among the largest in our solar system. Multiple sources confirm the discovery, with some describing it as 'enormous'. The dwarf planet candidate was detected in the outer reaches of the Solar System.
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- ✓ The new dwarf planet candidate is located beyond Pluto's orbit.
- ✓ The Vera C. Rubin Observatory discovered the dwarf planet candidate.
- ✓ The object is provisionally named 2026 ED138.
- ✓ The dwarf planet candidate is considered potentially massive and could be among the largest in our solar system.
What changed
The confirmation of the dwarf planet candidate's existence by multiple reputable sources, including scientific publications and news outlets, marks a development in the story.
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Enormous new dwarf planet candidate found beyond Pluto
Astronomers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have discovered a new dwarf planet candidate, provisionally named 2026 ED138, located beyond Pluto's orbit. The object is considered potentially massive and could be among the largest in our solar system. Multiple sources confirm the discovery, with some describing it as 'enormous'. The dwarf planet candidate was detected in the outer reaches of the Solar System.
Why it matters
The discovery of new dwarf planets in the outer Solar System provides insights into the formation and evolution of our cosmic neighborhood. Dwarf planets, like Pluto, are significant as they help scientists understand the dynamics of the Solar System's outer regions. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a powerful new tool for astronomy, has enabled this and potentially many more discoveries.
What is confirmed
- The new dwarf planet candidate is located beyond Pluto's orbit.
- The Vera C. Rubin Observatory discovered the dwarf planet candidate.
- The object is provisionally named 2026 ED138.
- The dwarf planet candidate is considered potentially massive and could be among the largest in our solar system.
Still unconfirmed
- The exact size of the dwarf planet candidate is not yet confirmed.
What to watch next
- Further confirmation of the dwarf planet candidate's size and orbit
- Additional discoveries of dwarf planets in the outer Solar System
- Official naming of the dwarf planet candidate by the International Astronomical Union
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (13)
- earthsky.org — New dwarf planet discovered by Rubin? - EarthSky
- BBC Sky at Night Magazine — Scientists have found an enormous new dwarf planet beyond Pluto. And there could be many more
- Rubin Observatory — NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Reveals Its First Dwarf Planet Candidate in Our Solar System
- National Geographic — Astronomers Just Discovered a New Hidden World Beyond Neptune
- Reuters — Possible new dwarf planet identified orbiting beyond Pluto
- The New York Times — A New Dwarf Planet (Probably) Spotted Beyond Pluto
- Space — Astronomers found a mysterious object beyond Neptune, and it could be a new dwarf planet
- Sky & Telescope — Possible New Dwarf Planet in the Solar System
- www.rnz.co.nz — ‘It’s big’: Astronomers make startling discovery of a ...
- www.foxnews.com — New dwarf planet candidate ED138 spotted beyond Pluto by ...
- www.skyatnightmagazine.com — Scientists have found an enormous new dwarf planet beyond ...
- www.sciencetimes.com — Vera Rubin Observatory Discovers 2026 ED138, a Potential ...
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