Caltech researchers have found mathematical evidence suggesting there may be a "Planet X" deep in the solar system. This hypothetical Neptune-sized planet orbits our Sun in a highly elongated orbit far beyond Pluto. The object, which the researchers have nicknamed "Planet Nine," could have a mass about 10 times that of Earth and orbit about 20 times farther from the Sun on average than Neptune. It may take between 10,000 and 20,000 Earth years to make one full orbit around the Sun.
The announcement does not mean there is a new planet in our solar system. The existence of this distant world is only theoretical at this point and no direct observation of the object nicknamed "Planet 9" have been made. The mathematical prediction of a planet could explain the unique orbits of some smaller objects in the Kuiper Belt, a distant region of icy debris that extends far beyond the orbit of Neptune. Astronomers are now searching for the predicted planet.
In Depth
In January 2015, Caltech astronomers Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown announced new research that provides evidence of a giant planet tracing an unusual, elongated orbit in the outer solar system. The prediction is based on detailed mathematical modeling and computer simulations, not direct observation.
This large object could explain the unique orbits of at least five smaller objects discovered in the distant Kuiper Belt.
"The possibility of a new planet is certainly an exciting one for me as a planetary scientist and for all of us," said Jim Green, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division. "This is not, however, the detection or discovery of a new planet. It's too early to say with certainty there's a so-called Planet X. What we're seeing is an early prediction based on modeling from limited observations. It's the start of a process that could lead to an exciting result."
The Caltech scientists believe Planet X may have has a mass about 10 times that of Earth and be similar in size to Uranus or Neptune. The predicted orbit is about 20 times farther from our Sun on average than Neptune (which orbits the Sun at an average distance of 2.8 billion miles). It would take this new planet between 10,000 and 20,000 years to make just one full orbit around the Sun (where Neptune completes an orbit roughly every 165 years).
What is its Name?
Batygin and Brown nicknamed their predicted object "Planet Nine," but the actual naming rights of an object go to the person who actually discovers it. The name used during previous hunts for the long suspected giant, undiscovered object beyond Neptune is "Planet X."
If the predicted world is found, the name must be approved by the International Astronomical Union. Planets are traditionally named for mythological Roman gods.
Why Do They Think It's There?
Astronomers studying the Kuiper Belt have noticed some of the dwarf planets and other small, icy objects tend to follow orbits that cluster together. By analyzing these orbits, the Caltech team predicted the possibility that a large, previously undiscovered planet may be hiding far beyond Pluto.
They estimate the gravity of this potential planet might explain the unusual orbits of those Kuiper objects.
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@Biggs update: he doing a lot of sleep today
which is fair, so am i. work is hard :niko-sleep: :sleepi:
BRO I SWEAR BRO JUST ONE MORE POLICE, JUST MORE ONE MILLION, I SWEAR IT'LL WORK THIS TIME BRO I SWEAR
cw intimacy
I was giving someone I once was close with some fancy cheese I had been gifted. Slicing off cubes to snack on
They said they felt special, and I said "you are special" and patted them on the head
They melted :meow-melt:
Always edging that orgasm up only for it to be ruined again. One must imagine Sissyphus in chastity.
You just couldn't name a planet "Planet 9" these days. They'll cancel you if you dont call it Planet X.
You best be respecting Trans Planets or your pronouns are gonna be Vulcan/Phaeton.
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Goddamn I'm not sure whats worse - the needles in certain parts of your arm while working on a sleeve, or having SO MUCH skin itching all at once a few days after.
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An Ocean's Whatever-type heist movie but all the characters are Orks and they're planning to steal the world's biggest gun
smh my head getting real damn tired of all of these fake bisexuals who have never even dated, let alone had sex with a bicycle
Sometimes you just have to put a song on repeat for an hour
given how people talk about it this is probably the least-bad contemporary anime
It’s decent. I like Spy x Family and Jujutsu Kaisen better tho
He said :bottom-speak:
Just buy a leash for him just in case keep it in a drawer. When he sees a specific scene you will know what to do.
Just found out the coworkers I like and get along with are landlords. Bummed out but not terribly surprised, they’re bazinga brained STEMlords. Worse still, they’re gleefully talking about evicting tenants who can’t make rent on time and are bringing in family to live with them. Fuck man
The Sagan Salvia duology is probably Eriks funniest work, I go back and watch it constantly
"...they looked into your vacant eyes and realised they gave birth to a human mulligan and it wouldn't be worth it to raise you to adulthood" is burned into my soul
Me looking at models, celebrities, people who spend all their time obsessing over their looks: :shrug-outta-hecks:
Me seeing a random guy in Lidl: :awooga:
There is a specific beauty in a regular type of person that we have been trained to ignore. Like, you ever day drink and watch a movie from before the 80s? Where all the actors look like people you would meet at the grocery store but you still have the most rancid intrusive thoughts about how you'd let them smash? Fully knowing they look like your old PE teacher more than you'd like to admit or whatever.