The 2002 XV93 atmosphere discovery has surprised astronomers studying distant worlds beyond Neptune. A small icy object in the Kuiper Belt may be surrounded by gas, creating a mystery about how such a fragile atmosphere could survive. Scientists expected an object this size to lose any gases quickly because its gravity is extremely weak.
The finding came after researchers observed 2002 XV93 passing in front of a distant star. The event created a rare opportunity to study the object’s surroundings from Earth. Instead of simply blocking the starlight, the object appeared to reveal signs of something around it.
