# another tiny dot, another large possibility

- Link: https://tacobout.online/2026/10/29/rubin-2026-ed138-dwarf-planet-candidate/
- Published: 2026-10-29T11:30:00-05:00
- Author: Hitch

![Diagram comparing dwarf-planet candidate 2026 ED138’s orbit with the outer planets.](
https://i0.wp.com/tacobout.online/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/rubin-ed138-orbit-noirlab2626b.
jpg?resize=733%2C300&ssl=1)

[Read Rubin Observatory’s account of its first dwarf-planet candidate.](https://rubinobservatory.org/news/rubin-first-dwarf-planet-candidate)

Rubin Observatory has found 2026 ED138, a possible dwarf planet hiding in the outer
solar system. “Possible” is doing useful work here: finding the object and establishing
exactly what it is are separate jobs.

The observatory’s images track its movement against a dense field of stars. The 
orbit diagram supplies the other half of the story: a tiny mark in a photograph 
can belong to something substantial, very far away. Space remains inconsiderate 
about scale.

Read the observatory’s account rather than upgrading a candidate into a confirmed
planet in the headline.

Featured image: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA; image processing
M. Jurić (UW), D. de Martin and M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab). Orbit diagram: NSF–DOE 
Vera C. Rubin Observatory/NOIRLab/SLAC/AURA/R. Proctor; image processing M. Zamani;
orbit data IAU Minor Planet Center; star map NASA/Goddard SVS; Gaia DR2 ESA/Gaia/
DPAC. Images via [Rubin Observatory](https://rubinobservatory.org/news/rubin-first-dwarf-planet-candidate),
[CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) under its [media policy](https://rubinobservatory.org/gallery/media-policy);
displayed at reduced size.