Scientists Discover Potential New Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto

Astronomers have identified a potential new dwarf planet, named 2026 ED138, in the outer Solar System beyond Pluto. The object was discovered by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory during its preparations for the Legacy Survey of Space and Time.

2026 ED138 is a trans-Neptunian object, orbiting the Sun far beyond Neptune. It was detected during data analysis conducted by Matthew Holman, a member of the Rubin Operations team, on 13 October 2026.

The object's brightness and distance suggest it is unusually large, potentially among the largest and brightest bodies found in the outer Solar System. Scientists estimate its width to be between 600 and 1,500 kilometers.

ED138's orbit is tilted nearly 25 degrees from the plane of the Solar System, indicating it may have been disturbed by gravitational interactions with Neptune. Its location near the plane of the Milky Way, a crowded region with millions of stars, likely contributed to its long elusiveness.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's advanced digital camera and continuous monitoring of the Southern Hemisphere sky, combined with sophisticated algorithms, enabled the discovery. Infrared observations are needed to confirm its size and status as a dwarf planet.

If confirmed, 2026 ED138 would join a small group of known dwarf planets, including Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. The Rubin Observatory's ongoing survey may reveal more such objects in the future.