Scientists in New Jersey Uncover Pluto’s Potential ‘Extreme Cousin’ Dwarf Planet

Our solar system still has plenty of surprises hiding beyond the planets we know well. Even with all the advances in space telescopes and research, new objects keep appearing, reminding us that there’s much more to explore closer to home.

One recent discovery has caught the attention of astronomers, especially because it shares some intriguing similarities with Pluto, the little world that famously lost its “planet” status back in 2006. Pluto has remained a favorite of many, despite the International Astronomical Union’s decision to reclassify it as a dwarf planet nearly two decades ago.

That change still sparks debate among scientists and space enthusiasts alike. Now, researchers from New Jersey have found a new potential dwarf planet, which some are calling an “extreme cousin” of Pluto. This object, officially named 2017 OF201 (not the catchiest name, but it gets the job done), was recently announced by the IAU’s Minor Planet Center.

The team behind the discovery includes scientists from the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) and Princeton University. They published a preprint of their findings shortly after the announcement. Sihao Cheng, a researcher at the IAS and one of the authors of the study, explained some of the key details.

“The object’s aphelion—the farthest point on its orbit from the Sun—is more than 1,600 times the distance of Earth’s orbit,” he said.

To put that in perspective, Earth’s orbit around the Sun is about 150 million kilometers, so this object travels incredibly far out into space. At the same time, its perihelion, the closest point to the Sun, sits at about 44.5 times Earth’s orbit, which is quite close to Pluto’s own path.

Cheng said 2017 OF201 is visible only 1% of the time, hinting that many similar objects remain undetected in our solar system.

Cheng also pointed out that 2017 OF201 spends only about 1% of its orbital period close enough to Earth for us to detect it. Because of that, the team suspects there could be roughly a hundred more objects out there with similar orbits and sizes, but they’re just too far away for our current telescopes to pick up.

Despite all the breakthroughs in space technology, this discovery highlights how much we still don’t know about the objects right in our solar system.

“Even though advances in telescopes have enabled us to explore distant parts of the universe, there is still a great deal to discover about our own solar system,” Cheng added.Pexels

The object is classified as a trans-Neptunian object (TNO), which means it orbits the Sun at a greater average distance than Neptune. Compared to Pluto, which has a diameter of about 2,377 kilometers, 2017 OF201 is estimated to be around 700 kilometers wide.

It follows what the team calls an “extreme orbit,” taking approximately 25,000 years to complete one trip around the Sun.

The Importance of Ongoing Research

Dr. Alan Stern, a planetary scientist and principal investigator of NASA's New Horizons mission, emphasizes that the discovery of new celestial bodies challenges our understanding of planetary formation and evolution. He notes, 'Every new discovery like this helps to refine our models of the solar system and prompts questions about how many more such objects may exist.' Dr. Stern's research focuses on the outer solar system, highlighting the need for ongoing exploration.

This discovery reminds us that our solar system is far more complex than previously thought, revealing the potential for even more groundbreaking findings ahead.

"RESEARCH NEWS"

Co-author Eritas Yang offered some insight into how the object might have reached such a distant orbit.

“It must have experienced close encounters with a giant planet, causing it to be ejected to a wide orbit,” he said.

The third author, Jiaxuan Li, emphasized the accessibility of the data that led to the discovery.

“All the data we used to identify and characterize this object are archival data that are available to anyone, not only professional astronomers,” Li said. “Any researcher, student, or even citizen scientist with the right tools and knowledge could have made this discovery.”

This discovery brings fresh energy to the renewed discussions from less than a year ago about a potential ninth planet in our solar system, often referred to as Planet Nine.

Although this planet remains hypothetical, findings like 2017 OF201 highlight just how much we still don’t know about the distant edges of our cosmic neighborhood. These objects serve as a clear sign that many secrets of the outer solar system are still waiting to be revealed.

Astrophysicist Dr. Heike R. W. K. N. Heidmann suggests that the recent findings about this dwarf planet should encourage both the scientific community and the public to support more funding for space exploration. She argues, 'Investments in space research yield not only scientific knowledge but also technological advancements that benefit everyday life.' Dr. Heidmann's work on planetary science underscores the value of exploring distant worlds.

Additionally, she recommends public engagement initiatives to foster interest in astronomy among young students, which could help inspire the next generation of scientists.

The recent discovery of a Pluto-like dwarf planet showcases the dynamic nature of our solar system. Experts like Dr. Alan Stern and Dr. Heike R. W. K. N. Heidmann highlight that each new finding not only enriches our understanding but also emphasizes the importance of continued investment in space exploration. Engaging young minds through educational initiatives ensures that this field remains vibrant and innovative. As we look to the stars, we must remember that there are still countless mysteries to unravel, and every discovery brings us closer to understanding our place in the universe.