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Astronomers Discover Possible Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto
· Confirmed
In Short: Astronomers have discovered a possible new dwarf planet candidate, ED138, located beyond Pluto's orbit, approximately 4.3 billion miles from the sun.
Astronomers have discovered a possible new dwarf planet candidate, ED138, located beyond Pluto's orbit, approximately 4.3 billion miles from the sun.
The newly identified dwarf planet candidate, ED138, is classified as a trans-Neptunian object, meaning it orbits the sun beyond Neptune, the farthest planet in our solar system.
If confirmed, ED138 would be among the largest dwarf planets ever discovered in this region of the Solar System, with a diameter estimated between 600 and 1,500 kilometers (370 and 930 miles), making it larger than the smallest recognized dwarf planet, Ceres.
The discovery of ED138 is part of a series of recent findings that shed light on the mysteries of our solar system, including the potential for a second-generation planet candidate orbiting a white dwarf.
Astronomers have also detected helium leaking from a rocky exoplanet, suggesting it may have an atmosphere, marking LHS 1140 b as a promising candidate for further research on exoplanet habitability.
The trail of ED138 stretches back more than a decade in telescope images, giving astronomers a head start in understanding its orbit.
If confirmed, ED138 would join the five other known dwarf planets: Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake.
The Rubin Observatory's unique capabilities make it an incredible tool for investigating a wide range of astrophysical phenomena, from dark energy to the discovery of this dwarf planet candidate.
The discovery of ED138 highlights the ongoing exploration of our solar system and the potential for new discoveries beyond the orbit of Pluto.
What this adds
On the excitement surrounding potential new dwarf planet discoveries near Neptune, adding to the intrigue of this recent find.
What's confirmed
- Astronomers have discovered a possible dwarf planet beyond Pluto that could be among the largest of its kind ever found in the outer solar system.
- Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA) The newly identified dwarf planet candidate is among several recent discoveries shedding light on the mysteries of our solar system.
- But on October 27, 2026, astronomers said the Vera C.
- Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. : NASA's New Horizons spacecraft captured this high-resolution enhanced color view of Pluto. (NASA New Horizons via SWNS) A view of the Solar System showing the orbital pathway of newly discovered dwarf planet candidate 2026 ED138 (ED138). (NSF–DOE Rubin / NOIRLab / SLAC / AURA via SWNS) A mosaic of images captured by NSF–DOE Vera C.
What's still developing
- A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits the sun and is large enough to be nearly round; yet unlike a full-sized planet, it shares its orbital region with other objects it has not gravitationally cleared away.
- Currently designated as 2026 ED138, the new dwarf planet candidate seems surprisingly large for something that’s remained undetected so long.
- Their findings, reported in a study accepted for publication in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, suggest that the elusive planet could be up to five to ten times the mass of Earth, and is so far out in the Solar System that it takes 10,000 years to orbit the Sun.
- Those archival images established that ED138 had been photographed years before astronomers recognised it as a distinct object.