Pesquisadores of Observatório Astronômico Nacional of Japão identified evidence of a tenuous atmosphere around an object in Cinturão of Kuiper. The celestial body, cataloged as (612533) 2002 XV93, is about 500 kilometers in diameter. Ele orbits more than 5.5 billion kilometers from Sol, a region further away than Plutão.

The detection occurred during a stellar occultation observed in January 2024. Equipes professional and amateur astronomers monitored the event from locations at Kioto, Nagano, and Fukushima. The star’s brightness gradually decreased rather than disappearing abruptly. Esse pattern suggests the presence of a gaseous layer around the object.

Observação via stellar occultation

The technique consisted of recording the moment the object passed in front of a distant star. Sem atmosphere, the light would suddenly disappear and reappear. The data showed, however, a smooth transition that lasted about 1.5 seconds. Essa change indicates refraction of light by the gas layer.

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Ko Arimatsu, leader of the study, highlighted the importance of collaboration between observatories and citizens. The event made it possible to capture details that were impossible to obtain with other methods. The estimated atmospheric pressure is between 5 million and 10 million times lower than that of Terra. The most likely gases include methane, nitrogen or carbon monoxide.

• The object measures around 500 km in diameter, compared to 2,377 km for Plutão.
• The observation involved multiple sites on Japão.
• The atmosphere signal lasted approximately 1.5 seconds.
• Estimated Pressão is extremely low.
• Possíveis origins include cryovolcanism or impact.

Desafio to previous models

Cientistas believed that bodies so small and cold could not retain a stable atmosphere. Weak gravity and low temperatures favored the loss of gases into space. The new record changes this view of transneptunian objects. Plutão remained the only confirmed example in the region so far.

The study was published in the journal Nature Astronomy. Ele paves the way for new observations of other Cinturão bodies from Kuiper. Especialistas consider that the phenomenon may indicate greater geological activity than previously assumed on the outskirts of the solar system.

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Possíveis training mechanisms

Dois main processes explain the origin of the atmosphere. Erupções cryovolcanics could release gases from the icy interior. An impact with another body could also have released volatile material. Ambas the hypotheses remain under evaluation.

The detection reinforces interest in future missions to the region. Objetos like 2002 XV93 hold clues about the formation of the solar system. Eles represent remnants of the early protoplanetary disk.

Implicações to Cinturão from Kuiper

The result suggests that Cinturão of Kuiper is not an inert environment. Internal or external Atividade can maintain dynamic processes in small worlds. Isso expands the understanding of conditions for atmospheric retention in extreme environments. Additional Pesquisas should confirm and refine the current data.