Astronomers detect atmosphere on icy object beyond Neptune in the solar system

Astrônomos confirmed the presence of a tenuous atmosphere around an icy object orbiting beyond Netuno. The celestial body, cataloged as (612533) 2002 XV93, has an estimated diameter of approximately 500 kilometers. The detection occurred during a stellar occultation event, when the object passed in front of a background star, allowing researchers to measure variations in light and confirm the existence of gases around it.

The find represents an important milestone in understanding the icy worlds of the outer solar system. Até then, only Netuno was known to maintain a detectable atmosphere in this distant region. The discovery opens up new possibilities for studies on the formation and evolution of smaller bodies in the Kuiper belt and beyond. The results were published in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy last month.

Características of the object and its orbit

The object (612533) 2002 XV93 completes one revolution around Sol every 247 years. At the time of observation, it was approximately 55 billion kilometers from Sol, or about 37 astronomical units. The average distance of its orbit is 39.6 astronomical units, varying between 34.6 AU at the closest point and 44.6 AU at the furthest point.

• Diâmetro estimated about 500 kilometers.
• Localização in the Kuiper belt, a region of icy bodies.
• Composição likely includes water, ice, rocks and organic compounds.
• Formação predates 4.5 billion years ago.

The researchers used observatories located at Kyoto, Nagano and Fukushima to perform the measurements. The stellar occultation technique made it possible to detect changes in the luminosity of a background star as the object passed in front of it. Esse method enables the analysis of atmospheric features that would be impossible to detect by other means.

Composição and origin of the atmosphere

The detected atmosphere is extremely tenuous, with a density between 500,000 and 1 million times less than the Earth’s atmosphere. Além is also between 50 and 100 times thinner than Netuno’s atmosphere. Scientists speculate that the gas may contain methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and other chemical compounds common on icy worlds.

One possibility is that the atmosphere is maintained by cryogenic activity, similar to ice volcanoes. Fraturas at the surface would allow gases from the interior to escape, supported by internal geological processes. Outra explanation points to temporary events, such as collisions with smaller objects that release gases. If the atmosphere dissipates over the next few years, future observations could confirm which mechanism is at work.

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Implicações for knowledge of the solar system

The discovery significantly changes the understanding of small, cold bodies in the solar system. Anteriormente, it was believed that objects of this size could not retain atmospheres. Essa detection demonstrates that smaller worlds can maintain geological activity and complex atmospheric processes. The finding paves the way for future investigations into how many other similar bodies have similar characteristics.

Kuiper’s belt contains thousands of icy objects formed in the early solar system. Até Now, only Netuno was known to maintain a detectable atmosphere in this extreme region. The new discovery suggests that many other small worlds may be carrying out internal or external activity, expanding knowledge about the diversity of planetary processes in the distant cosmos.

Pesquisa with ground observatories

Astrônomos of Observatório Astronômico Nacional led the analysis work. The main author is Arimatsu Yuki, of Observatório Astronômico of Ishigaki. The research team combined data obtained from professional and amateur astronomers during the occultation event. Essa international collaboration made it possible to collect accurate information about the characteristics of the object and its atmosphere.

The object does not have a widely publicized common name. Dentro in the scientific community is referred to simply as XV93, following the naming conventions of União Astronômica Internacional. Futuras observations with more powerful telescopes and space missions could reveal additional details about its composition, internal structure and atmospheric dynamics, contributing to a deeper understanding of the icy worlds of the outer solar system.