Rubin Observatory finds dwarf planet beyond Pluto
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory detected ED138, a possible dwarf planet estimated 600 to 1,500 kilometres wide.
A telescope in Chile scanning billions of moving objects found ED138 orbiting about 46 times farther from the sun than Earth. Matthew Holman, a Smithsonian astrophysicist, ran a program to hunt through the data and reacted with "excited disbelief" when ED138 appeared.
Researchers traced 20 observations back to March 2026 and plotted its orbit from 10 years of data. It's not officially a dwarf planet yet; Holman says they need to confirm the size, which may take a few months.
If confirmed, ED138 would join five recognised dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris.
- 600 to 1,500 kilometers
- Estimated diameter
- 46 astronomical units
- Distance from sun
- 2,682 meters
- Observatory elevation
- 5
- Recognized dwarf planets
Why it mattersShows what new telescope technology can reveal about the solar system and objects previously hidden.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but the discovery shows how powerful new telescopes are expanding what astronomers can study.
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