Astronomers spot a possible new dwarf planet beyond Pluto

The NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has identified a large, distant object that scientists say may be a dwarf planet. The International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center announced the find on Tuesday, Oct. 27, under the provisional name 2026 ED138.

The object was found earlier this month by Matthew Holman of the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, using software that searches Rubin data for distant moving objects. It is currently about 46 times farther from the Sun than Earth is; Pluto's average distance is about 40.

Based on its brightness and distance, the team estimates it is 600 to 1,500 kilometers across. More observations are needed to confirm its size and shape. If confirmed, it would join Pluto, Ceres, Eris, Haumea and Makemake as a recognized dwarf planet.

Source: Rubin Observatory, National Science Foundation, University of Washington (Rubin Observatory announcement)