Science & Tech news · 30 October 2026

Vera Rubin Observatory Spots Potential Sixth Dwarf Planet Beyond Pluto
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory has identified 2026 ED138, a trans-Neptunian object 46 times farther from the Sun than Earth, as a candidate for our solar system's sixth dwarf planet. The object measures between 600 and 1,500 km across.

IBM and Rutgers Crack Quantum Computer Chaos With a Phase-Transition Trick
Scientists from IBM and Rutgers University have demonstrated that a 156-qubit quantum processor can tame its own internal chaos through repeated measurement-and-reset cycles, identifying a sharp tipping point beyond which the system becomes reliably controllable. The breakthrough is a key step toward fault-tolerant quantum computing.

South Korean Scientists Design Lighter, Longer-Range EV Battery
Researchers at KAIST in South Korea have used a chip-making technique to build anode-free lithium-metal batteries that store more energy in less space and weight, potentially allowing electric vehicles to travel farther on a single charge.

NASA's Juno Reveals Jupiter's Multi-Layered Plasma Shield Is Far More Complex Than Earth's
Data from NASA's Juno spacecraft show that Jupiter deflects the solar wind using a complex system of multi-harmonic plasma waves and multiple shock regions — a mechanism far more sophisticated than Earth's single-frequency bow shock — offering new clues about energy transfer across the cosmos.
