This Tiny World in the Outer Solar System Should Be Airless, but It Has an Atmosphere

Japanese astronomers reported evidence that small trans-Neptunian object 2002 XV93 has a tenuous atmosphere.

The finding came from a stellar occultation, where the star’s light curve matched what a thin atmosphere would produce.

Models suggest the gas is short-lived, so it may come from recent outgassing or an impact.

If confirmed, it would be a rare atmosphere on a tiny distant body and a clue to recent outer Solar System activity.