Astronomers are intensifying their search for a potential ninth planet, commonly referred to as Planet Nine, which could significantly alter our understanding of the solar system.
The investigation into Planet Nine commenced in 2014, led by astronomers Scott Sheppard and Chadwick Trujillo. They identified unusual orbital patterns among icy objects in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune. These patterns suggest the presence of a massive, unseen planet.
Planet Nine is theorized to be 5-7 times the size of Earth, with an orbit approximately 200 times farther from the sun than Earth. Estimates suggest that one complete orbit could take between 10,000 to 20,000 years.
Professors Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown from the California Institute of Technology are spearheading the ongoing search, building on the initial findings of Sheppard and Trujillo. Brown, who played a key role in the reclassification of Pluto, remarked on the growing evidence supporting the existence of a trans-Neptunian planet.
However, skepticism persists within the scientific community. Malena Rice, an astronomy professor at Yale University, pointed out that previous predictions of distant planets have often not materialized. She advocates for simpler explanations when analyzing the data.
Despite the skepticism, astronomers are determined to continue their search, as the quest for Planet Nine raises important questions about the complexity of our solar system.