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<p>The only trans-Neptunioan object (TNO) with a detected atmosphere so far is Pluto, which has an average surface pressure of 10 μbar. Investigations of other large (&gt;500 km) TNOs have only been able to establish upper limits of 1–100 nbar. A recent near-infrared study reported methane gas emission from Makemake, although its origin remains uncertain. Here we report that a stellar occultation campaign performed on 10 January 2024 of the ~250-km-radius plutino (612533) 2002 XV<sub>93</sub> reveals a refractive signature, indicating a thin atmosphere. We derive a surface pressure of 100–200 nbar, above the previous limits for other larger bodies. This discovery shows that even a few-hundred-kilometre TNO can host, at least transiently, an atmosphere, challenging standard volatile-retention scenarios. Our findings suggest that a fraction of distant icy minor planets can exhibit atmospheres, potentially sustained by ongoing cryovolcanic activity or produced by a recent impact of a small icy object.</p>

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Detection of an atmosphere on a trans-Neptunian object beyond Pluto

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月4日

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  • Ko Arimatsu,
  • Fumi Yoshida,
  • Tsutomu Hayamizu,
  • Satoshi Takita,
  • Katsumasa Hosoi,
  • Takafumi Ootsubo,
  • Jun-ichi Watanabe

摘要

The only trans-Neptunioan object (TNO) with a detected atmosphere so far is Pluto, which has an average surface pressure of 10 μbar. Investigations of other large (>500 km) TNOs have only been able to establish upper limits of 1–100 nbar. A recent near-infrared study reported methane gas emission from Makemake, although its origin remains uncertain. Here we report that a stellar occultation campaign performed on 10 January 2024 of the ~250-km-radius plutino (612533) 2002 XV93 reveals a refractive signature, indicating a thin atmosphere. We derive a surface pressure of 100–200 nbar, above the previous limits for other larger bodies. This discovery shows that even a few-hundred-kilometre TNO can host, at least transiently, an atmosphere, challenging standard volatile-retention scenarios. Our findings suggest that a fraction of distant icy minor planets can exhibit atmospheres, potentially sustained by ongoing cryovolcanic activity or produced by a recent impact of a small icy object.