Dwarf Planets

Latest about Dwarf Planets

A small reddish rocky planet is seen in the darkness of space with a smaller planet-looking object nearby

The weird ringed dwarf planet Quaoar may have an extra moon, astronomers discover

By Nola Taylor Tillman published

"The profile of the occultation was most consistent with it being a new satellite — a new moon — going around Quaoar."

Dwarf Planets
A large rocky comet floats in the darkness of space with some stars in the distance.

1st known interstellar visitor 'Oumuamua is an 'exo-Pluto' — a completely new class of object, scientists say

By Nola Taylor Tillman published

"'Oumuamua is in a different category of object. It's much harder to find, but there are a lot more of them."

Dwarf Planets
A gray rocky planet with blue lights on its surface glows in the darkness of space

Dwarf planet Ceres may have once been suitable for life, new study suggests

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Even if life never took hold on Ceres, the discovery could help broaden the range of environments that could potentially be habitable.

Dwarf Planets
A planet with red patches and cream patches against a dark background.

Think you know our solar system's dwarf planets? Test your skills with our new quiz!

By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry published

Pluto isn't the only dwarf planet residing in our solar system. Try your hand at naming the others!

Dwarf Planets

Scientists found a possible new dwarf planet — it could spell bad news for Planet 9 fans

By Keith Cooper published

A newly found object could be a dwarf planet that contradicts the Planet Nine hypothesis.

Dwarf Planets
An image of dwarf planet Ceres captured by NASA's Dawn mission.

How did life's building blocks end up on dwarf planet Ceres?

By Victoria Corless published

The building blocks of life could have been delivered to solar system dwarf planet Ceres by one or more space rocks from the outer asteroid belt.

Dwarf Planets

Charon: Pluto's dwarf planet partner

By Keith Cooper last updated

Reference As the gatekeepers to the Kuiper Belt, Charon and Pluto are a unique double dwarf planet system.

Reference
Ceres appears as a gray cratered sphere against a background of stars. There is a bright blue patch in the center

Ceres: The closest dwarf planet to Earth

By Keith Cooper last updated

Reference Learn all about the dwarf planet Ceres, including its discovery, location, composition and the Dawn mission.

Reference
three notable celestial bodies are seen as lit crescents, one in the foreground takes up half the image, the second is much smaller at the top, with a shining third near the bottom right as the first two's star. other dimmer stars are present.

Pluto's 'almost twin' dwarf planet Eris is surprisingly squishy

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Pluto's 'almost twin' dwarf planet Eris has a rocky core blanketed by an icy shell, which appears to be flexing slowly.

Dwarf Planets
a silver-and-grey round rock in space

Dwarf planet Ceres could be a great place to hunt for alien life. Here's why

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

Asteroid impacts on dwarf planet Ceres influenced the presence of organic aliphatic molecules, according to new research.

Dwarf Planets
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