The concept of Planet Nine first appeared in the science halls of the California Institute of Technology in 2016, sparking a global scientific effort to uncover this elusive region.
It is theorized that the planet possesses a mass that could make Earth ten times smaller and that it could take as much as a staggering 20,000 years to complete a single orbit around our sun.
Such a colossal body would not only reshape the gravitational dynamics of the outer solar system, but also join the ranks of the known giants, redefining the solar family tree.
The latest breakthrough is the result of a joint effort by international researchers who have closely tracked the anomalous trajectories of distant objects whose paths cross Neptune’s orbit. These objects, which behave in ways that cannot be fully explained by current models, suggest the gravitational influence of a significant planetary body.
Armed with advanced computer simulations and a wealth of data, the research team found that the most plausible explanation for the objects’ behavior was gravitational interference exerted by a large distant planet. Unfortunately, the simulations were not of the type that allowed the research team to identify the planet’s location.
This discovery adds a substantial piece to the puzzle and offers a glimmer of hope that Planet Nine may not be just a figment of astronomical knowledge.
Despite these advances, the actual location of Planet Nine remains a mystery.
Researchers have published their publications paper on the arXiv preprint server and has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
