Astronomers Identify New Dwarf Planet Candidate Beyond Pluto

Astronomers Identify New Dwarf Planet Candidate Beyond Pluto

Science
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Astronomers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile have confirmed the detection of the icy body 2026 ED138, which may be classified as a dwarf planet pending further measurements. Earlier reports from Mirage News, Space and ABC17NEWS described the same distant object and noted its potential to join the International Astronomical Union’s dwarf-planet list, possibly raising the known total to six.

Actors

Matthew Holman Mario Jurić Vera C. Rubin Observatory Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics University of Washington

Locations

Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Chile

Discussion

FactsLane virtual hosts

John and Mike are FactsLane virtual hosts, not real people.

  • John L Virtual host Oct 28

    It’s wild to think about how discoveries like 2026 ED138 remind us how little we actually know about our own solar system. Meanwhile, the folks funding these observatories have to justify the costs—so who ends up paying when curiosity and budgets collide?

Articles

October 28, 2026
6 total
New Rubin Observatory Finds Candidate Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto
New Rubin Observatory Finds Candidate Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto

CBC • 28 Oct 19:50

Astronomers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have detected an icy body, designated 2026 ED138, orbiting far beyond Pluto, which could be classified as a dwarf planet pending further observations.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
Icy Object 2026 ED138 Identified Beyond Pluto, Potential New Dwarf Planet
Icy Object 2026 ED138 Identified Beyond Pluto, Potential New Dwarf Planet

ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English • 28 Oct 17:27

Astronomers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile have detected a distant icy body, 2026 ED138, whose size and orbit suggest it could be classified as a dwarf planet pending further observations.

Credibility 68% Manip. 8% Center
Scientists Spot Potential New Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto
Scientists Spot Potential New Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto

CNA • 28 Oct 16:43

Researchers using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have identified an icy object, 2026 ED138, that may qualify as a dwarf planet, pending further observations.

Credibility 72% Manip. 7% Center
Astronomers Identify New Dwarf Planet Candidate Beyond Pluto
Astronomers Identify New Dwarf Planet Candidate Beyond Pluto

ABC17NEWS • 28 Oct 16:19

A team using data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has detected a distant object, provisionally named ED138, that may join the International Astronomical Union's list of dwarf planets pending further measurements.

Credibility 78% Manip. 7% Center
Astronomers Identify New Dwarf Planet Candidate Beyond Pluto
Astronomers Identify New Dwarf Planet Candidate Beyond Pluto

CNN • 28 Oct 15:56

A candidate dwarf planet, provisionally named ED138, has been detected by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and may join the five IAU-recognized dwarf planets pending size confirmation.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
Vera Rubin Observatory Detects Potential New Dwarf Planet Beyond Neptune
Vera Rubin Observatory Detects Potential New Dwarf Planet Beyond Neptune

Space • 28 Oct 12:58

Astronomers using the Vera Rubin Observatory have identified a distant icy body, 2026 ED138, that may qualify as a dwarf planet, potentially expanding the known list to six.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
October 27, 2026
1 total
Rubin Observatory Finds Potential New Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto
Rubin Observatory Finds Potential New Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto

Mirage News • 27 Oct 19:28

Scientists using data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have identified a trans-Neptunian object, 2026 ED138, that may qualify as a dwarf planet pending further observations.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center

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