Most Distant Solar System Object

Overview

Astronomers continually look for new objects in the Solar System. Many questions have been answered over the last few decades, but many other questions remain unanswered and new questions arise. Are there planets beyond Neptune? If so, how might these objects effect the orbits of inner Solar System objects? Did the planets migrate in and out in their orbits? How far away is the farthest Solar System object? Prior to a recent discovery, the most distant object in the Solar System was Eris, a dwarf planet with an orbit that takes it as far as 97 A.U. from the Sun. But astronomers have recently found a more distant object!

Eris - NASA, ESA, and M. Brown (California Institute of Technology)

Most Distant Solar System Object

Astronomers have recently discovered an object named 2018 VG18, cleverly nicknamed 'Farout'. 2018 VG18 is about 120 A.U. from the Sun, placing it significantly farther than Eris' greatest distance. Given its great distance, little else is known about 2018 VG18, including its size, orbit, composition, and surface features. We'll have to wait for it to eventually get closer to us before we learn more. Despite what we don't know, this is an interesting discovery. We've known objects are likely to exist farther out in the Solar System, but they are hard to find. There are most certainly objects farther out than 2018 VG18, but we'll just have to wait until they are discovered.