{
  "id": 17038524,
  "title": "Scientists think theyve just discovered a new dwarf planet like Pluto",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/scientists-think-theyve-just-discovered-a-new-dwarf-planet-like-pluto",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-29T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mashable",
    "slug": "mashable",
    "url": "https://mashable.com/science/new-dwarf-planet-candidate-2026-ed138"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Astronomers have recently identified a small, bright object in the outer regions of our solar system, potentially a new dwarf planet similar to Pluto. Dubbed 2026 ED138, this mysterious celestial body orbits the sun at a distance of about 46 times that of Earth, and its dimensions may span between 370 to 930 miles in width. It resides 1.1 billion miles beyond Pluto in the Kuiper Belt, a region populated with icy remnants that extend past Neptune.\n\nMatthew Holman, a researcher at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, discovered 2026 ED138 two weeks ago while analyzing data from the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory using a custom program developed with colleague Kevin Napier. Holman expressed amazement at the discovery, stating that such objects are exceedingly rare and he initially suspected an error in his work. The International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center, responsible for cataloging new solar system objects, announced the discovery as a candidate on Wednesday.\n\nIf confirmed, 2026 ED138 would become the sixth officially recognized dwarf planet in our solar system, joining Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. This discovery showcases a novel, streamlined approach to modern astronomy. By combining the Rubin Observatory's recurring sky surveys with archival data and images from other telescopes, the team rapidly pieced together a comprehensive picture of the object and its unusual orbit.\n\nDwarf planets are essentially scaled-down versions of traditional planets, orbiting the sun due to their own gravitational pull but failing to clear other space debris from their paths. Pluto was downgraded from planet status in 2006 due to the presence of other icy bodies within its orbital path. The dimness of 2026 ED138 made its detection challenging, but its brightness, combined with the observatory's ability to revisit past sky scans, allowed the team to uncover the object after decades of missed opportunities.\n\nThe Rubin Observatory's Simonyi Survey Telescope had previously observed 2026 ED138 around 30 times between March 4 and July 11. Utilizing the Asteroid Institute's ADAM Precovery tool, which mines historical records for matches to newly discovered objects, researchers identified the celestial body in images taken as early as 2016 with the Dark Energy Camera in Chile. This combined data facilitated a decade-long analysis of the object's trajectory.\n\nTo be formally classified as a dwarf planet, 2026 ED138 must prove it possesses a round shape due to its own gravity. Observations in infrared light will help astronomers determine its exact size and other characteristics, as these distant objects offer valuable insights into the formation of our solar system. Over the next decade, the Rubin Observatory will continue to photograph the southern sky repeatedly, potentially uncovering more hidden celestial bodies.",
  "summary": "The Vera C. Rubin Observatory discovered 2026 ED138, a dwarf planet candidate beyond Pluto. Scientists explain how it hid from them.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Scientist",
        "title": "There may be a new dwarf planet just beyond Pluto",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/there-may-be-a-new-dwarf-planet-just-beyond-pluto",
        "published": "2026-10-28T16:51:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}