SouthernWorldwide.com – A recent study indicates that a small, icy celestial body located beyond Pluto might possess a thin atmosphere, potentially formed by volcanic activity or a comet impact.
This object, approximately 300 miles in diameter, is believed to be the smallest known body in our solar system with a discernible global atmosphere held by gravity. This discovery was led by Ko Arimatsu from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.
Alan Stern, a prominent scientist involved with NASA’s New Horizons mission to Pluto and the outer solar system, commented that the finding is significant but requires independent confirmation. He noted that if verified, the implications would be substantial.
If this finding is confirmed, this celestial body would be the second object discovered beyond Neptune in our solar system to have an atmosphere, with Pluto being the only other known example.
This discovery provides new insights into the distant and frigid objects residing in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune. The research team utilized three telescopes in Japan to observe the object in 2024 as it transited in front of a background star, causing a temporary dimming of the starlight.
Arimatsu stated in an email that this finding alters our understanding of small celestial bodies not only beyond Neptune but in the solar system as a whole. He expressed surprise at finding an atmosphere around such a small object, challenging the conventional belief that atmospheres are exclusive to larger planets, dwarf planets, and some significant moons.
The object in question, officially designated (612533) 2002 XV93, is classified as a plutino. It orbits the sun in a 2:3 resonance with Neptune, meaning it completes two orbits for every three completed by Neptune. At the time of the study, it was situated over 3.4 billion miles away, making it more distant than Pluto, the only other Kuiper Belt object with a known atmosphere.
According to the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the atmosphere of this icy body is estimated to be between 5 million and 10 million times less dense than Earth’s atmosphere. This is also significantly thinner, about 50 to 100 times, than Pluto’s own tenuous atmosphere.
Arimatsu suggested that the most probable atmospheric components are methane, nitrogen, or carbon monoxide, any of which could explain the observed dimming during the stellar occultation. He also noted that further observations, particularly from NASA’s Webb Space Telescope, could help confirm the atmospheric composition.
Ice volcanoes or comet collision?
The researchers were unable to definitively determine the origin of the atmosphere, which is far too thin to support life.
However, they proposed two potential scenarios: gas expelled from the object’s interior by erupting ice volcanoes, or material ejected by a comet impact, which would imply a temporary atmosphere that would eventually dissipate.
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Jose-Luis Ortiz, an astronomer specializing in dwarf planets beyond Neptune, expressed interest in the findings but advised a cautious approach. He stated that he remains skeptical and believes more data is needed to confirm the presence of an atmosphere.
Ortiz also suggested an alternative explanation for the observed phenomena: the presence of a ring very close to the object’s surface.
Arimatsu acknowledged that he could not entirely dismiss “exotic alternatives” to an atmosphere.
However, he added that a nearly edge-on ring does not appear to be consistent with the primary characteristics of their observations.
Both astronomers emphasized the need for further observations to gain a better understanding of this intriguing world, with a particular focus on utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope.
There have also been prior suggestions that Makemake, a dwarf planet slightly smaller than Pluto, might possess a very thin atmosphere, although some scientists remain unconvinced. Pluto, once considered the ninth planet, was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006.
Recently, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman indicated that the space agency was contemplating the possibility of reinstating Pluto’s status as a full planet.
Isaacman reportedly stated his support for the idea of “making Pluto a planet again.”
These comments were made in the context of endorsing a proposal to reduce NASA’s science budget by half, which has drawn criticism from some astronomers. Planetary scientist Adeene Denton expressed her dismay on Bluesky, calling it “wild to ‘make Pluto a planet again’ while decimating the careers of those of us that study it!”
