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Hunt for Ninth Planet Reveals New Extremely Distant Solar System Objects
The search for the elusive ninth planet in our solar system has led to the discovery of new extremely distant objects. These objects, known as trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), are located beyond Neptune and are believed to be remnants from the formation of our solar system. This article will explore the latest findings in the hunt for the ninth planet and what it means for our understanding of our solar system.
What is the Ninth Planet?
The ninth planet, also known as Planet X, is a hypothetical planet that is believed to exist beyond Neptune. Its existence was first proposed in 2014 by astronomers Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown at the California Institute of Technology. They based their theory on the unusual orbits of six TNOs, which they believed were being influenced by the gravity of a large, undiscovered planet.
The Search for the Ninth Planet
Since the initial proposal of the ninth planet, astronomers have been searching for evidence of its existence. One method used to search for the planet is to look for its gravitational influence on other objects in our solar system. This has led to the discovery of several new TNOs that are located beyond Neptune.
In 2016, a team of astronomers led by Scott Sheppard at the Carnegie Institution for Science discovered 12 new TNOs using data from the Dark Energy Survey. These objects are extremely distant, with some located up to 100 times farther from the sun than Earth.
The Latest Discoveries
In 2018, Sheppard and his team announced the discovery of another 10 TNOs using data from the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. These objects are even more distant than those discovered in 2016, with some located up to 160 times farther from the sun than Earth.
One of these new TNOs, named 2015 TG387 or "The Goblin," has an extremely elongated orbit that takes it from the inner solar system to the outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt. Its orbit is so elongated that it takes 40,000 years to complete a single orbit around the sun.
What Do These Discoveries Mean?
The discovery of these new TNOs provides further evidence for the existence of the ninth planet. The gravitational influence of a large planet beyond Neptune could explain the unusual orbits of these objects.
The discovery of these objects also sheds light on the formation and evolution of our solar system. TNOs are believed to be remnants from the early days of our solar system, and studying them can provide insights into how our solar system formed and evolved over time.
Conclusion
The search for the ninth planet in our solar system has led to the discovery of new extremely distant objects. These discoveries provide further evidence for the existence of the ninth planet and shed light on the formation and evolution of our solar system. As astronomers continue to search for this elusive planet, we can expect to learn even more about our place in the universe.
FAQs
1. What is a trans-Neptunian object?
A trans-Neptunian object is an object located beyond Neptune in our solar system.
2. Why is the ninth planet important?
The ninth planet is important because its existence could explain the unusual orbits of several trans-Neptunian objects in our solar system.
3. How are astronomers searching for the ninth planet?
Astronomers are searching for evidence of the ninth planet by looking for its gravitational influence on other objects in our solar system.
4. What can studying trans-Neptunian objects tell us about our solar system?
Studying trans-Neptunian objects can provide insights into how our solar system formed and evolved over time.
5. Will we ever find the ninth planet?
It is difficult to say for sure, but astronomers are continuing to search for evidence of the ninth planet and are making new discoveries all the time.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.