Astronomers identify potential new dwarf planet ED138 in trans-Neptunian region
Astronomer Matthew Holman has spotted a potential new dwarf planet, designated ED138, in the outer reaches of the solar system. The object, located 46 astronomical units from the sun, was identified using data from the Rubin Observatory but remains unconfirmed by the International Astronomical Union.
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Astronomer Matthew Holman identified a potential new dwarf planet, ED138, in the trans-Neptunian region of the solar system using data from the Rubin Observatory.
- ED138 measures between 600 and 1,500 kilometers in diameter and is located 46 astronomical units from the sun.
- The object has not yet been confirmed as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union, which currently recognizes five dwarf planets.
- ED138’s detection was challenging due to its position against the Milky Way’s disk, which obscured it among bright stars.
Discovery of ED138
On October 13, 2026, astronomer Matthew Holman from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics identified a celestial object, designated ED138, using data from the Rubin Observatory. The object is located in the trans-Neptunian region of the solar system, approximately 46 astronomical units from the sun.
ED138 measures between 600 and 1,500 kilometers in diameter, a size range that places it among potential dwarf planets. However, its spherical shape and other criteria required for official classification have not yet been confirmed.
Challenges in detection
The discovery of ED138 was complicated by its position against the Milky Way’s disk, where the brightness of surrounding stars made detection difficult. This underscores the challenges astronomers face in identifying objects in crowded or bright regions of the sky.
Dwarf planet classification
The International Astronomical Union currently recognizes five dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake, and Eris. For ED138 to join this group, it must meet specific criteria, including achieving a spherical shape due to its own gravity.
Dozens of other objects in the outer solar system are also candidates for dwarf planet classification, reflecting the growing catalog of celestial bodies in this region.
What this means
Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.
For founders and operators in the space technology and research sectors, the discovery of ED138 highlights the expanding frontiers of astronomical observation. Advances in observatories like Rubin are enabling the detection of distant objects that were previously obscured or unknown. This could open opportunities for startups focused on space data analysis, telescope technology, or even long-term mission planning, as agencies and private companies explore the outer solar system. The confirmation—or rejection—of ED138 as a dwarf planet will also refine our understanding of celestial body classification, which may influence future research priorities and funding.
Related on Lazyfounder
Sources
- WIRED · 2026-10-29
Astronomers Discover a Possible New Dwarf Planet in Our Solar System
This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.
About the author
Editor, Lazyfounder
Tarun Mottlia edits LazyFounders, covering Indian startups, funding rounds, AI and product launches. Every story on the site is AI-assisted and checked against its cited sources before publication.
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