Astronomers believe they’ve detected an atmosphere around a tiny, icy world beyond Pluto
Astronomers have detected a thin atmosphere around a small, icy world beyond Pluto, designated (612533) 2002 XV93. Observations in January 2024, using three telescopes in Japan, captured the object passing in front of a background star, revealing a gradual dimming and recovery of starlight.
Briefing Summary
AI-generatedAstronomers have detected a thin atmosphere around a small, icy world beyond Pluto, designated (612533) 2002 XV93. Observations in January 2024, using three telescopes in Japan, captured the object passing in front of a background star, revealing a gradual dimming and recovery of starlight. This phenomenon suggests the presence of a delicate atmosphere, potentially generated by volcanic activity or a comet impact. The object, approximately 300 miles across, is considered the smallest celestial body found to possess a gravity-bound global atmosphere. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about where atmospheres can exist in the solar system, offering new insights into the Kuiper Belt's frigid objects.
Article analysis
Model · rule-basedKey claims
5 extractedThis discovery sorely needs independent verification.
The finding offers fresh insight into our solar system’s farthest, coldest objects in the Kuiper Belt.
Finding an atmosphere around such a small object challenges the conventional view that atmospheres are limited to large planets, dwarf planets and some large moons.
This object is thought to be the solar system’s smallest object yet with a clearly detected global atmosphere bound by gravity.
A tiny, icy world beyond Pluto, (612533) 2002 XV93, may have a thin, delicate atmosphere.