Japan astronomers find thin atmosphere on small celestial body beyond Neptune
Measurements from a stellar occultation showed a gradual dimming pattern, suggesting the distant object may have a thin, short-lived atmosphere.
- A research team led by Ko Arimatsu at NAOJ Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory in Japan uncovered evidence that the distant TNO 2002 XV93 is surrounded by a thin atmosphere.
- Orbiting far beyond Neptune, the TNO XV93 measures about 500 km across, significantly smaller than Pluto, which spans 2,377 km in the outer Solar System.
- During a 2024 stellar occultation on January 10, measurements of XV93 showed light fading gradually rather than abruptly, confirming a thin atmosphere around the distant body.
- Calculations suggest this thin atmosphere would dissipate in less than 1000 years unless continuously replenished by internal material or a recent comet impact on XV93's surface.
- Future observations using Data from the James Webb Space Telescope are needed to better understand the composition and origin of the gas surrounding this small TNO.
22 Articles
22 Articles
An icy object of Kuiper's belt, much smaller than Pluto, has like it a tenuous atmosphere, according to the work of Japanese astronomers
The celestial body 2002 XV93 apparently has an atmosphere in the outer solar system, although according to previous models it should actually be too small.
Astronomy: With the help of a citizen scientist, Japanese astronomers have been able to observe an atmosphere around a tiny object in an orbit past…
Scientists discover a little object beyond Pluto that appears to have an atmosphere
An icy world, perhaps just 300 miles wide and far beyond Pluto, may have air, challenging the assumption that small space objects can't hold onto an atmosphere.This world, known as 2002 XV93, orbits in a distant region sprinkled with leftover rubble from our solar system's early planet-building days. Astronomers often study this ancient detritus, referred to as Trans-Neptunian Objects, by waiting for remnants to pass in front of stars. During ra…
This tiny outer Solar System world has an atmosphere. It shouldn’t
Astronomers have spotted something surprising in the far outer Solar System—a faint, short-lived atmosphere clinging to a tiny icy world that shouldn’t be able to hold one at all. The object, called 2002 XV93, is far smaller than Pluto, yet observations during a rare stellar alignment revealed its presence through a subtle dimming of starlight. Even more puzzling, calculations suggest this atmosphere should vanish within about 1,000 years unless…
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