Subaru Finds ‘Fossil’ Object Beyond Pluto

The Subaru Telescope has identified a unique object far beyond Pluto, offering a potential glimpse into the solar system’s ancient past. The discovery of this small body, officially designated 2023 KQ₁₄, is prompting scientists to rethink the forces that shaped the outer reaches of our planetary neighborhood. The object is now being called a “fossil” because it’s likely remained largely unchanged since the early days of the solar system.

The find was made as part of the FOSSIL (Formation of the Outer Solar System: An Icy Legacy) survey, which leverages the Subaru Telescope’s wide field of view to scan vast swaths of the sky. Observations taken in March, May, and August of 2023 revealed the object’s presence. The teams focus on this survey is understanding the layout of the early solar system.

The findings are described in detail in a paper published in Nature Astronomy.

While currently known as 2023 KQ₁₄, the International Astronomical Union will eventually assign a more traditional name. Following its initial discovery, astronomers conducted follow-up observations in July 2024 using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. They also scoured old data from other observatories, ultimately piecing together a 19-year orbital history.

What sets 2023 KQ₁₄ apart is its highly unusual, distant orbit, which classifies it as a “sednoid.” Only three other objects have been placed in this category, making it an exceptionally rare find.

Numerical simulations carried out by the FOSSIL team, utilizing advanced computing resources at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, suggest that 2023 KQ₁₄ has maintained a remarkably stable orbit for at least 4.5 billion years , a testament to its undisturbed existence.

Intriguingly, while 2023 KQ₁₄‘s current orbit differs from the other known sednoids, simulations indicate that their orbital paths were strikingly similar approximately 4.2 billion years ago. The simulations suggest a common origin, potentially.

The orbital divergence of 2023 KQ₁₄ from its sednoid brethren hints at a more complex and dynamic outer solar system than previously envisioned. Current Observation → Underlying Implication → Broader Context: Its unique path influences constraints on the hypothesised Planet Nine. If such a planet exists, its orbit must be even more distant than what was previosuly predicted.

According to Dr. Yukun Huang, of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, who led the orbital simulations, “The fact that 2023 KQ₁₄‘s current orbit does not align with those of the other three sednoids lowers the likelihood of the Planet Nine hypothesis. It is possible that a planet once existed in the solar system but was later ejected, causing the unusual orbits we see today.” Some on X.com are speculating if this ejection had some unkown affects on the inner solar system as well.

Dr. Fumi Yoshida underscores the importance of the discovery, stating, “2023 KQ₁₄ was found in a region far away where Neptune’s gravity has little influence. The presence of objects with elongated orbits and large perihelion distances in this area implies that something extraordinary occurred during the ancient era when 2023 KQ₁₄ formed.” Yoshida added, “It challenged previous assumptions,” about the orbital dynamics present in this region of space.

These “fossils” may represent leftover building blocks from the early solar system’s formation. The FOSSIL team hopes to find more objects like this, to better understand how planets like Neptune and Uranus formed.

“Understanding the orbital evolution and physical properties of these unique, distant objects is crucial for comprehending the full history of the solar system. At present, the Subaru Telescope is among the few telescopes on Earth capable of making such discoveres.” Dr. Yoshida said.

“I would be happy if the FOSSIL team could make many more discoveries like this one and help draw a complete picture of the history of the solar system.”

These findings will require more telescope time, as scientist try to measure the objects size and compostion. It’s thought that 2023 KQ₁₄ is only 100 to 200 kilometers in diameter, making it difficult to study.

• Discovery made by the Subaru Telescope as part of the FOSSIL project.
• 2023 KQ₁₄ is classified as a sednoid, one of only four known.
• Simulations show a stable orbit for at least 4.5 billion years.
• The object’s orbit places new constraints on the Planet Nine hypothesis.
• Scientists hope to uncover more about the solar system’s past.