Recent studies have renewed interest and excitement around Planet Nine. This hypothetical fifth giant planet could be lurking way beyond the orbit of Neptune. This mystical realm has intrigued humankind for centuries. If it exists, it could finally go a long way to explaining the weird orbits of some of the objects in the Kuiper Belt, a region bursting with icy bodies and leftovers from the early solar system.
Based on its estimated orbit, scientists think Planet Nine is about 10 times the mass of Earth. Its orbit takes it outwards, billions of miles from the Sun. Its proposed trajectory is extremely inclined at about 120 degrees to the plane of the Solar System. Regardless of this intriguing possibility, the existence of Planet Nine is still up for discussion, as scientists still argue over the reality of it.
A team of international researchers led by the University of Southern California has been investigating this question. They dove into the data archives of two retired satellites, IRAS and AKARI, to discover candidates that could account for Planet Nine. It was there that they found their golden candidate. Yet it showed up as a sharp point, even color and brightness matched in several images from both satellites. Skepticism surrounding this discovery persists.
Mike Brown, a prominent astronomer who initially proposed the concept of Planet Nine in 2016, expressed his doubt regarding this candidate’s connection to the elusive planet. He stated, “doesn’t mean it’s not there, but it means it’s not Planet Nine.” His comments illustrate the continued confusion and uncertainty regarding this rapidly evolving area of research.
The peculiar orbits of various objects in the Kuiper Belt have led researchers to hypothesize the presence of a massive planet lurking beyond Pluto. The gravitational influence of known planets can’t be easily accounted for these unusual orbits. This led to the hunt for a ninth planet. If Planet Nine is real and behaves as theorized, it would heavily influence the dance between bodies orbiting our solar system.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, seen above, is now under construction on a remote mountaintop in Chile. It is a tantalizing opportunity to prove or disprove the existence of Planet Nine. Scientists believe that this facility will significantly increase their ability to detect relatively distant objects in the solar system. They admit they are hopeful that in a year or two they will, at last, catch a glimpse of Planet Nine if it is out there.
The orbit that some have ascribed to Planet Nine complicates its detection tremendously. It is located at such a great distance from the Sun that it is likely beyond the reach of today’s observational methods. Indeed, its predicted trajectory is what makes it special among other known celestial bodies. This difference in approach can be seen in the difficulty in finding direct proof of its existence.
Brown further explained what such a planet could mean for the solar system. “I don’t think this planet would have any of the effects on the Solar System that we think we’re seeing,” he noted, indicating that even if it were found, its influence may not align with existing hypotheses about its role in shaping orbital patterns.
The discussion around Planet Nine marches on, fueled by equal parts skepticism and intrigue in the scientific community. And some of the researchers are itching to catch a glimpse of this new giant planet. Some still urge patience and a full investigation before jumping to any judgment. New discoveries are on the horizon, as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory approaches the first stages of science operations.
