Evidence Suggests a Thin Atmosphere Around Distant Icy Object (612533) 2002 XV93

Tue, 05 May 2026 17:56:00 +0200

Astronomers have reported the possible detection of a thin atmosphere surrounding a small icy object located beyond Pluto, identified as minor planet (612533) 2002 XV93. Measuring roughly 300 miles (500 kilometers) in diameter, this object is among the smallest in the solar system to show signs of a global atmosphere held by gravity. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, suggests that the atmosphere may have formed through volcanic activity or comet impacts. Positioned more than 3.4 billion miles (5.5 billion kilometers) from the Sun, farther than Pluto, the object's atmosphere is estimated to be 5 to 10 million times thinner than Earth's atmosphere and 50 to 100 times thinner than Pluto's. The likely constituents include methane, nitrogen, or carbon monoxide, which could explain the dimming observed as the object passed in front of a distant star. Researchers note that further observations, particularly with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, will be crucial for confirming the com