Rubin Observatory Identifies Possible Large Dwarf Planet Candidate ED138

According to NSF News, the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has identified a substantial object that researchers have classified as a potential dwarf planet. Preliminary data analysis indicates that this object orbits in the outer reaches of the solar system, beyond Pluto, and might represent one of the largest candidates for a dwarf planet ever found. If confirmed, this object would join the five established dwarf planets: Ceres, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Pluto.

The discovery was facilitated by the Rubin Observatory's immense camera, which is the largest ever constructed, combined with its unmatched speed, enabling it to precisely record every visible alteration in the southern hemisphere sky. The International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center has assigned the newly found object the provisional designation ED138.

ED138 was located in a section of the sky near the plane of the Milky Way, an area densely populated with millions of stars, which is the likely reason it remained undiscovered until now. Scientists were able to detect ED138 moving within this crowded field due to the regular monitoring and powerful data algorithms employed by the Rubin Observatory. Edward Ajhar, NSF Program Director for Rubin Observatory, stated that the observatory's capability to clearly capture movement and change among numerous objects and phenomena that have not previously been seen by humans greatly enhances the ability to reveal and comprehend new aspects of the solar system, the Milky Way, and billions of other galaxies.

Researchers utilizing other observatories are now able to conduct follow-up observations of ED138 to gather further details regarding its characteristics. The public, including educators and students, can explore this finding through Orbitviewer, an interactive web-based application designed to offer an intuitive means of examining solar system objects.

ED138 is one of several solar system objects that the Rubin Observatory has discovered this year. In April, the observatory submitted observations covering more than 11,000 new asteroids. Kathy Turner, Department of Energy Program Manager for Rubin Observatory, commented that the distinct strengths of the Rubin Observatory make it an exceptional instrument for studying a broad spectrum of astrophysical phenomena, ranging from dark energy to the identification of this dwarf planet candidate.