Possible new dwarf planet 2026 ED138 discovered beyond Pluto, could be up to 1,500 km wide

Astronomers have spotted a distant icy object beyond Pluto that could become only the sixth recognized dwarf planet in our solar system.

Our solar system's exclusive club of dwarf planets may be gaining a new member. Scientists using the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a telescope based in Chile, have identified a distant icy object designated 2026 ED138, orbiting beyond Pluto in the outer reaches of the solar system at approximately 46 times Earth's distance from the Sun. The discovery has been reported by Reuters, CNN, Mashable, and Wired. The object could be as large as 1,500 kilometers in diameter, though astronomers are still working to confirm whether it meets the formal criteria for dwarf planet classification. If confirmed, ED138 would join a group of only five currently recognized dwarf planets — a list that includes Pluto, which was famously reclassified from full planetary status. The dwarf planet category has strict criteria set by the International Astronomical Union, and candidates must clear a formal review process before earning the designation. The find highlights how much of the solar system's distant outer regions remains unmapped and subject to ongoing discovery.

Why it matters

Dwarf planet designations are rare — only five objects currently hold the status — making any new confirmed addition a significant milestone in solar system science. The discovery also underscores the scientific value of Chile-based observatories in surveying the poorly understood outer solar system.

What's next

ED138 must undergo further observation and formal review before it can be officially classified as a dwarf planet.

Key facts

• The candidate object is designated ED138
• It was identified using a telescope located in Chile
• ED138 orbits beyond Pluto in the outer solar system
• Only five objects are currently recognized as dwarf planets, including Pluto
• Pluto was reclassified from a full planet to a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union

Bias & framing notes

Both sources agree on the core facts — a new dwarf planet candidate has been found beyond Pluto — but neither provides substantial technical detail such as the specific telescope used, the object's orbital distance, or its size. CNN emphasized the object's potential to join Pluto's exclusive group, framing it with novelty appeal, while Reuters kept its framing more cautious with the word 'possible.' Neither source provided quotes from the discovering scientists or a named institution, limiting independent verification.

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