Currently, sci.esa.int is under review and not being updated. For the latest information and news from ESA science missions and scientific results, please visit esa.int. For a comprehensive overview of ESA’s Science Programme and its missions, please refer to science.esa.int. For in-depth technical information aimed at ESA's scientific communities, you may also wish to consult cosmos.esa.int.

Asset Publisher

Back Hubble Spots an Icy World Far Beyond Pluto

Hubble Spots an Icy World Far Beyond Pluto


Date: 18 October 2002
Depicts: Artist's impression of Quaoar
Copyright: NASA and M. Brown (Caltech)

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has measured the largest object in the solar system ever seen since the discovery of Pluto 72 years ago. Approximately half the size of Pluto, the icy world is called "Quaoar" (pronounced kwa-whar). Quaoar is about 4 billion miles away, more than a billion miles farther than Pluto. Like Pluto, Quaoar dwells in the Kuiper belt, an icy belt of comet-like bodies extending 7 billion miles beyond Neptune's orbit.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
12-Aug-2026 23:46 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/8dLdr38

Latest Selection

Also Available As

Related Images

Related Videos

Caption & Press Release

Related Publications

Related Links

See Also

Documentation