Science · 2026-10-28 · Morning briefing

Vera Rubin Observatory spots potential sixth dwarf planet

Astronomers at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have announced the discovery of a new dwarf planet candidate, designated 2026 ED138. The object is located beyond Neptune’s orbit, approximately 46 times farther from the sun than Earth is, placing it more distant than Pluto, which orbits at 40 times that distance.

With an estimated diameter between 600 and 1,500 kilometres, it is one of the largest such candidates yet detected. The object previously evaded discovery because its position is obscured by the dense star fields of the Milky Way. Its orbit is also tilted by an unusual 25 degrees relative to the solar system’s plane, a feature possibly caused by Neptune's gravitational pull.

If its status is confirmed, 2026 ED138 would join the exclusive club of five recognised dwarf planets, including Pluto, Ceres and Eris. The find was made possible by the powerful instruments of the recently-online observatory, which is set to survey the southern sky for the next ten years, suggesting more hidden worlds may be within reach.

Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.

Read the sources

• Rubin Observatory finds new dwarf planet candidate in our solar system
• Astronomers may have just discovered our solar system’s sixth dwarf planet
• A New Dwarf Planet (Probably) Spotted Beyond Pluto
• New dwarf planet candidate discovered by NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory
• Potential new dwarf planet found by Harvard astrophysicists

More stories in this edition

1. Israel faces deadlock as Netanyahu's bloc leads without a majority
2. China's dependency ratio flips as elderly outnumber children
3. US military tallies $47.1bn cost for war with Iran
4. Gaza: Families face fourth winter in tents as aid falters
5. UBS profits jump 27% as Credit Suisse integration progresses
6. Jio Platforms surges 21% in India's largest IPO
7. OpenAI model solves quantum physics proof, pre-empting rivals
8. Bahamas: King Charles acknowledges 'suffering of the past'
9. Rugby: Australia recalls 37-year-old Kurtley Beale

Read the whole edition