Post by Prof. Sam Lawler

Prof. Sam Lawler @sundogplanets@mastodon.social

AkaSci 🛰️ @AkaSci@fosstodon.org · open

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has discovered a new Dwarf Planet candidate in our solar system - 2026 ED138, a large, bright trans-Neptunian object orbiting beyond Pluto.

Distance from Sun: ~46 au (1 au is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. Pluto has an average distance of 40 au)
Orbital tilt: 25°
Diameter: 600 - 1500 km

If confirmed, ED138 would be among the largest dwarf planets ever discovered in this region of the Solar System.

https://rubinobservatory.org/news/rubin-first-dwarf-planet-candidate
1/n

2026-10-27 22:33 UTC · Public