The Search for Planet X | Summary and Q&A

62.9K views
March 18, 2017
by
Thought Café +
YouTube video player
The Search for Planet X

TL;DR

Scientists have strong evidence for the existence of a ninth planet in our solar system, larger than Earth and located 10-20 times farther than Pluto, and are now using powerful telescopes to confirm its presence.

Install to Summarize YouTube Videos and Get Transcripts

Key Insights

  • 🪐 Proof of a new planet orbiting our sun has been discovered, potentially becoming the ninth planet in our solar system.
  • ⌛ This planet is estimated to be the size of Neptune and located at a distance 10 to 20 times farther than Pluto.
  • 🪐 The existence of this planet has been inferred from the gravitational effects it has on other objects in the outer solar system.
  • 💁 Confirmation of this planet's existence would expand our understanding of the solar system and its formation.
  • 🥺 The search for Planet X is led by the California Institute of Technology's Mike Brown, known for his role in the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet.
  • 🤒 The Subaru 8.2-meter telescope in Hawaii is being used to search for Planet X.
  • 🪐 The discovery of a new planet would challenge our current definition of a planet and potentially change the number of recognized planets in our solar system.

Transcript

Last year, we geeked out about Proxima Centauri b, a possibly life-supporting planet 4.2 light years away. But we should have focused on a discovery even closer to home: In January of 2016, scientists found proof of a new planet orbiting our own sun. Dwarf planets are a dime a dozen. When it comes to real planets—bodies with enough mass to achieve ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the existence of this ninth planet affect our understanding of the solar system?

The discovery of a new planet would expand our knowledge of the solar system and its formation. It could provide insights into the dynamics of planet formation and the gravitational interactions between celestial bodies.

Q: How did scientists determine the existence of this planet?

Scientists noticed irregularities in the orbits of certain objects in the outer solar system and found six bodies with similar eccentric orbits. Mathematical simulations suggested the gravitational influence of a large planet, which became known as Planet X.

Q: What is the significance of this discovery?

If confirmed, this discovery would be the first new planet found in our solar system in over a century. It would also raise questions about the definition of a planet and how many planets are in our solar system.

Q: How are scientists planning to find Planet X?

Scientists have secured time on the Subaru 8.2-meter telescope in Hawaii to scan the skies beyond the Kuiper Belt, where they believe Planet X may be located. They hope that publishing their findings will inspire others to join the search.

Summary & Key Takeaways

  • Scientists have discovered proof of a new planet orbiting our sun, potentially becoming the ninth planet in our solar system.

  • The planet is estimated to be the size of Neptune and located 10-20 times farther away than Pluto.

  • The existence of this planet has been deduced from the gravitational effects it has on other objects in the outer solar system.

Share This Summary 📚

Summarize YouTube Videos and Get Video Transcripts with 1-Click

Download browser extensions on:

Explore More Summaries from Thought Café + 📚

Summarize YouTube Videos and Get Video Transcripts with 1-Click

Download browser extensions on: