Astronomers have discovered an atmosphere on a small icy object far beyond the planet Neptune. Until now, only the dwarf planet Pluto was known to have an atmosphere in this distant region of the solar system. The newly discovered object is called (612533) 2002 XV93. It belongs to a group of icy bodies known as trans-Neptunian objects, which orbit the Sun beyond Neptune. The object is about 500 km wide and travels around the Sun at nearly the same distance as Pluto.

Scientists said its atmosphere is extremely thin,  millions of times thinner than Earth’s atmosphere and much thinner than Pluto’s. The atmosphere may contain gases like methane, nitrogen, or carbon monoxide. Researchers say this discovery shows that small icy objects in the outer solar system may be more active than scientists once believed. The study was led by astronomer Ko Arimatsu and published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Scientists believe there could be two reasons for the atmosphere. One possibility is “cryovolcanism,” where gases escape through cracks in the icy surface, similar to a cold version of a volcano. Another possibility is that the atmosphere was created after a recent collision with another space object.

The object was studied using telescopes in Japan during a “stellar occultation,” which happens when an object passes in front of a distant star and briefly blocks its light. By studying the change in light, scientists can learn more about the object. The object is located in the Kuiper Belt, a distant area filled with icy bodies. Scientists believe it formed more than 4.5 billion years ago, around the beginning of the solar system. It takes 247 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. At the time of observation, it was about 5.5 billion km away from the Sun.

Researchers say the object’s current name is difficult to remember, so they simply call it “XV93.” One scientist said he hopes it may someday receive a name inspired by Okinawan mythology.

Source: https://ddnews.gov.in/