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Astronomers using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope atop Mauna Kea have discovered another dwarf planet in the outer reaches of the solar system.
Astronomers using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope atop Mauna Kea have discovered another dwarf planet in the outer reaches of the solar system.
The icy world, known as RR245, is the largest discovery and the first dwarf planet found by the Outer Solar System Origins Survey. Other known dwarfs are Pluto, Eris, Ceres, Haumea and Makemake.
Researchers estimate it takes 700 years for RR245 to orbit the sun on a highly elliptical path.
Its orbit is estimated to be more than 120 times farther from the sun than Earth. Its size is unknown.