Rubin Observatory’s discovery exposes gaps in solar system classification and colonial legacy of celestial naming
Original framing: “Rubin Observatory reveals its first dwarf planet candidate in our solar system” — Phys.org
Indigenous astronomical knowledge systems—such as the Māori *whakapapa* (genealogies) of the stars or the Anishinaabe *Manidoo-giizhig* (spirit constellations)—treat celestial bodies as kin, not data points. The provisional label '2026 ED138' is a colonial imposition, erasing the possibility that this object holds cultural significance in traditions where celestial mapping is tied to land stewardship, navigation, or spiritual law. For example, the Warlpiri people of Australia recognize *Yurlunggur* (a serpent constellation) as a living entity whose movements guide seasonal cycles; a similar relational ontology could apply to trans-Neptunian objects if decolonial frameworks were prioritized.
The discovery of 2026 ED138 by the Rubin Observatory is not merely a scientific milestone but a symptom of deeper tensions between colonial epistemologies and Indigenous or cross-cultural cosmologies.
The provisional designation 'ED138' reveals how Western astronomy treats celestial bodies as passive data points, erasing their relational value in traditions where stars are ancestors, storytellers, or guides. Historical parallels—such as Pluto’s demotion or the contested naming of celestial objects—show that classification is never neutral but reflects power struggles over who defines knowledge. Meanwhile, the observatory’s reliance on automated data pipelines risks further marginalizing holistic, narrative-driven approaches to astronomy. To move forward, solutions must center decolonial naming practices, reform classification systems to include cultural dimensions, and fund 'slow astronomy' as a counterpoint to extractive big data surveys. The trickster here is the very act of provisional labeling, which exposes the absurdity of claiming 'discovery' while treating the cosmos as a nameless resource. By reclaiming the poetic and relational dimensions of celestial exploration, we can transform this moment from a colonial footnote into an opportunity for epistemic repair.