Does Planet 9 Really Exist in Our Solar System?

TL;DR

Planet 9 is hypothesized to exist due to gravitational anomalies affecting distant objects in the Kuiper Belt, suggesting a massive body beyond Neptune. While mathematical models provide significant evidence, the search is ongoing and remains challenging, with definitive proof still elusive.

Transcript

So, you think Planet 9 exists with 99.8% probability? Something like that. Yeah maybe 99.. I'll push it higher. 99.9% probability. This is wishful thinking. It is. I mean if you're that sure, find it. In the farthest reaches of our solar system, way past Neptune and Pluto, a ninth planet may be lurking. It's predicted to have a mass five times that... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 The search for Planet 9 began with the discovery of Uranus deviating from its expected orbit and the subsequent accurate prediction and discovery of Neptune.
• ❓ The presence of the Kuiper Belt and the discovery of numerous objects within it provide evidence for the existence of Planet 9.
• 🛰️ The highly inclined and reversed orbits of distant objects suggest the influence of an unknown celestial body.
• 👨‍🔬 The search for Planet 9 is challenging and requires careful observations of the night sky over an extended period.
• 🦻 The LSST telescope, coming online in 2022 or 2023, is expected to greatly aid in the search for Planet 9.
• 🪜 The discovery of Planet 9 would add to our understanding of the mysteries and unknowns within our solar system.
• 🧑‍🔬 Naming of Planet 9 is not a current concern for the scientists involved, but a petition to name it after David Bowie has gained attention.

Questions & Answers

Q: How was Neptune discovered after the irregular orbit of Uranus was observed?

French mathematician Urbain Le Verrier accurately predicted the existence and location of Neptune based on the anomalous motion of Uranus. Astronomers were then able to discover Neptune within one night of searching.

Q: What evidence supports the existence of Planet 9?

The clustering of orbits in the Kuiper Belt, the presence of distant objects with highly inclined and reversed orbits, and mathematical simulations suggest the possibility of a ninth planet beyond Neptune.

Q: How is the search for Planet 9 conducted?

Observational surveys of the night sky are being conducted over a period of several years, aiming to capture images of the same part of the sky to search for the dim and distant Planet 9. The upcoming LSST telescope is expected to greatly aid in the search.

Q: When is it estimated that Planet 9 will be found?

The search for Planet 9 is challenging and may take around a decade to complete. The commencement of the LSST telescope in 2022 or 2023 is expected to accelerate the search or potentially rule out a large portion of Planet 9's orbit.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The search for Planet 9 began with the discovery of Uranus deviating from its expected orbit in 1781 and the subsequent discovery of Neptune through mathematical predictions.

• Since then, numerous theories about planets beyond Neptune have been proposed but none have been verified.

• The existence of Planet 9 is supported by the clustering of orbits in the Kuiper Belt and the observation of distant objects with highly inclined and reversed orbits.