Hubble and Webb find that far-out solar system objects 'remember' the past

• Hubble and Webb space telescopes discovered 27 tiny, dim trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) that appear to retain their original composition and color, despite being scattered in highly elliptical orbits. These objects are smaller than any previously seen and appear as tiny points of light. The study found that the colors of these TNOs follow the same relationships as larger TNOs, suggesting they have not been significantly altered by collisions. The research team from the University of Victoria and Northern Arizona University analyzed the color, composition, and size distribution of these objects.

• The two populations of TNOs—cold and hot—show similar size distributions and colors, despite forming in different regions of the early solar system. The cold TNOs are on relatively circular orbits in the solar plane, while the hot TNOs were pushed outward after the migration of outer gas giants. The study found fewer small TNOs than expected, with one being so faint it is equivalent to seeing a small swarm of fireflies on the moon. The smallest TNO observed has a diameter of about 3 miles, which is five times smaller than what can be detected by ground-based telescopes.

• The findings suggest that collisions may not have significantly altered the surfaces of small TNOs, possibly due to fewer collisions or the preservation of their original composition. The study highlights the importance of Hubble and Webb in detecting and characterizing these objects, as their combined capabilities provided insights not achievable by either telescope alone. The research team is still trying to understand why the small TNOs retain their original properties, and the results have implications for understanding early solar system processes and planetesimal formation.

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