2002 XV93 Archives

Three station light curves of 2002 XV93’s stellar occultation on 10 January 2024. The flux points (points with error bars) observed at Kyoto (a), Kiso (b) and Fukushima stations (c) overlaid with the synthetic light curves (red lines, assuming a pure CH4 atmosphere and a best-fit surface pressure of 124 nanobars) are shown as a function of time. In panel c, the gray points are the flux points for the individual exposures, and the black points are those binned by a factor of 8. The vertical arrow represents the closest approach time to the shadow edge at Fukushima, at 13:12:50.818 UT. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Pluto, Status Report

The First Detection Of An Atmosphere On A Trans-Neptunian Object Beyond Pluto

by Keith CowingMay 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) in the outer Solar System are predominantly small, icy worlds long presumed to be atmosphereless except for the largest bodies.

Artist’s conception of this research showing an imagined time sequence as a star passes behind a TNO with an atmosphere. (Credit: NAOJ)

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Pluto, Press Release

Trans-Neptunian Object (612533) 2002 XV93 Has An Atmosphere – But Shouldn’t

by Keith CowingMay 5, 2026May 5, 2026

A team of professional and amateur Japanese astronomers found evidence for a thin atmosphere around a small body in the outer Solar System. The object is so small that it […]