CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — Astronomers believe they may have discovered a thin atmosphere surrounding a small icy object far beyond Pluto, a finding that could reshape scientific understanding of distant worlds in the outer solar system.
The object, formally known as (612533) 2002 XV93, is located in the Kuiper Belt, a distant region filled with frozen remnants from the solar system’s formation. Researchers say the object measures only about 300 miles (500 kilometers) across, making it the smallest known body believed to possess a global atmosphere held in place by gravity.
The study, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, suggests the atmosphere may have formed through ice volcano activity or the aftermath of a comet impact.
Lead researcher Ko Arimatsu of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan described the discovery as surprising and potentially significant for planetary science.
“It changes our view of small worlds in the solar system, not only beyond Neptune,” Arimatsu said, adding that scientists traditionally believed atmospheres could only exist on larger planets, dwarf planets, and major moons.
The discovery was made using three telescopes in Japan that observed the object passing in front of a distant background star in 2024. Researchers detected subtle dimming in the starlight, which they believe indicates the presence of a thin atmospheric layer.
Scientists estimate the atmosphere is between 5 million and 10 million times thinner than Earth’s atmosphere and significantly thinner than the already tenuous atmosphere surrounding Pluto.
Researchers believe the atmosphere may contain methane, nitrogen, or carbon monoxide, gases commonly associated with icy celestial bodies in the outer solar system.
Planetary scientist Alan Stern, who was not involved in the study, described the findings as potentially groundbreaking but stressed the need for further confirmation.
“This is an amazing development, but it sorely needs independent verification,” Stern said. “The implications are profound if verified.”
The object is classified as a plutino, meaning it follows an orbital pattern linked to Neptune. At the time of observation, it was located more than 3.4 billion miles (5.5 billion kilometers) from Earth, even farther away than Pluto.
Researchers hope future observations using the James Webb Space Telescope will help confirm the atmosphere’s composition and determine whether it is temporary or continuously replenished.
According to Arimatsu, if the atmosphere fades over time, it may indicate it was caused by a recent comet impact. If it remains stable or changes seasonally, scientists may have evidence of ongoing underground activity such as ice volcanism.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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