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ESO Telescope Reveals the Smallest Dwarf Planet in the Solar System
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has recently discovered what could be the smallest dwarf planet in the solar system. The discovery was made using the SPHERE instrument on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. This new discovery is exciting for astronomers as it provides insight into the formation and evolution of our solar system. In this article, we will explore this new discovery and what it means for our understanding of the solar system.
What is a Dwarf Planet?
Before we dive into the discovery, let's first understand what a dwarf planet is. A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits around the sun but is not large enough to be classified as a planet. According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), a dwarf planet must meet three criteria: it must orbit around the sun, it must be spherical in shape, and it must have cleared its orbit of other debris.
The Discovery
The ESO telescope discovered this new dwarf planet while observing a group of celestial bodies known as Centaurs. Centaurs are small icy bodies that orbit between Jupiter and Neptune. The newly discovered dwarf planet has been named 2015 TG387 or "The Goblin" due to its initial discovery around Halloween.
The Goblin is estimated to be about 300 kilometers in diameter, making it one of the smallest dwarf planets ever discovered. It takes about 40,000 years to complete one orbit around the sun, and at its furthest point, it is over two hundred times further from the sun than Earth.
What Does This Discovery Mean?
This new discovery provides insight into how our solar system formed and evolved over time. The Goblin's unusual orbit suggests that it may have been influenced by a larger celestial body such as Planet Nine, which has yet to be discovered.
The discovery of The Goblin also highlights how much we still have to learn about our solar system. There are likely many more dwarf planets and other celestial bodies that we have yet to discover.
Conclusion
The discovery of The Goblin is an exciting development in the field of astronomy. It provides insight into the formation and evolution of our solar system and highlights how much we still have to learn about the universe. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to make even more discoveries that will deepen our understanding of the cosmos.
FAQs
1. What is a dwarf planet?
A dwarf planet is a celestial body that orbits around the sun but is not large enough to be classified as a planet.
2. How was The Goblin discovered?
The Goblin was discovered using the SPHERE instrument on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile.
3. What does The Goblin's unusual orbit suggest?
The Goblin's unusual orbit suggests that it may have been influenced by a larger celestial body such as Planet Nine, which has yet to be discovered.
4. How does this discovery contribute to our understanding of the solar system?
This discovery provides insight into how our solar system formed and evolved over time and highlights how much we still have to learn about the universe.
5. Are there likely more dwarf planets and other celestial bodies that we have yet to discover?
Yes, there are likely many more dwarf planets and other celestial bodies that we have yet to discover.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.