Astronomers discover atmosphere on a distant object beyond Neptune
Kyiv • UNN
Astronomers have detected a thin atmosphere on the trans-Neptunian object 2002 XV93, which has a diameter of 500 km. It may have originated from cryovolcanism or a collision.
Astronomers have for the first time recorded the presence of an atmosphere on a small celestial body in the outer part of the Solar System, other than Pluto. This refers to the trans-Neptunian object (612533) 2002 XV93. This was reported by Reuters with reference to research and observation data, according to UNN.
Details
The object, approximately 500 km in diameter, is located beyond the orbit of Neptune and orbits the Sun at roughly the same distance as Pluto. Researchers established that it has a thin atmosphere, which is 5–10 million times more rarefied than Earth's and 50–100 times thinner than Pluto's atmosphere.
It likely consists of methane, nitrogen, or carbon monoxide.
This discovery suggests that some small icy bodies in the outer Solar System may not be completely inactive,
Possible Explanations
Scientists are considering two main hypotheses for the appearance of the atmosphere:
- a permanent atmosphere maintained by cryovolcanism – gas emissions from the interior;
- a temporary atmosphere that emerged after a collision with another celestial body.
If the atmosphere was formed as a result of an impact, it may disappear within a few years or decades,
How the Research Was Conducted
Observations were carried out using ground-based telescopes in Japan during a so-called stellar occultation – when an object passes in front of a star and alters its light.
This allowed for the determination of the atmosphere's presence based on the nature of the dimming. Scientists believe the discovery changes the understanding of distant objects in the Solar System.
Previously, it was believed that an atmosphere could not exist on such a small object,
The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Astronomy.