New Dwarf Planet Candidate Found Beyond Pluto: Astronomers Spot 2015 TG387

Astronomers have discovered a new object far beyond Pluto that could be a dwarf planet, adding to our understanding of the solar system's outer reaches. The object, designated 2015 TG387 and nicknamed 'The Goblin,' was found by a team using the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. It has an extremely elongated orbit that takes it about 2,300 times farther from the Sun than Earth at its most distant point. The discovery was announced by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. This find supports the existence of a possible 'Planet X' influencing the orbits of distant objects. The Goblin's orbit is similar to other extreme trans-Neptunian objects, suggesting a larger unseen planet may be shepherding them. Scientists say more observations are needed to confirm its size and orbit, but it is likely around 300 kilometers in diameter. The discovery highlights how much remains unknown about our solar system's outer edges. As technology improves, astronomers expect to find more such objects, shedding light on the solar system's formation and evolution.