New Dwarf Planet Candidate Discovered in Milky Way
The 2026 ED138 object ranks among the seven largest in the outer solar system, though its precise size remains unconfirmed.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Space
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Harvard astrophysicists have identified a potential dwarf planet, designated 2026 ED138, hidden within the bright background of the Milky Way. This research-stage discovery ranks the object as one of the seven largest ever found in the outer solar system.
Why it matters
The discovery demonstrates the capability of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory to detect celestial bodies previously obscured by galactic light. This advancement expands our ability to map the outer reaches of the solar system beyond conventional search patterns.
The candidate object is estimated to be between 600 and 1,500 kilometers in diameter, placing it among the seven largest objects identified in the outer solar system. Its detection was achieved despite its position within the dense, bright field of the Milky Way.
The players
Harvard University
An academic institution leading research in astrophysics and planetary science.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory
A facility in Chile equipped with an eight-meter mirror designed for rapid, wide-field sky surveys.
The details
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile utilizes an eight-meter primary mirror to gather light from across the sky. Researchers identified the candidate by connecting points of light that appeared to move across sequential telescope observations. Because the object lies within the Milky Way, its faint light was previously lost against the dense background of stars and gas that obscures the galactic plane.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: Discovery announced at the 59th Annual Division for Planetary Sciences meeting.
December 16, 2026: Vera C. Rubin Observatory featured in NOVA documentary.
The Tech Race
This detection marks a significant milestone for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory program as it pushes into high-noise areas of the sky. The capability to resolve moving bodies against the galactic plane signals a shift in how astronomers map the outer solar system.
The discovery is a scientific observation and does not currently change any user-facing software or consumer workflows. Astronomers expect to conduct follow-up imaging to verify the object's dimensions, though no public timeline for these observations has been released.
The takeaway
The discovery of 2026 ED138 highlights our improving ability to see through galactic interference to find large solar system bodies. Researchers must now conduct follow-up imaging to determine if the object meets the precise mass and diameter requirements for formal dwarf planet classification.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest Space research and observations.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GBH.
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