Astronomers identify a possible planet nine in data spanning 23 years

Evidence for a new 'Planet Nine' found in 23 years of infrared data.

: Scientists are investigating a possible new planet in our solar system, identified through infrared surveys conducted 23 years apart by NASA's IRAS and Japan's AKARI satellite. This potential planet, named Planet Nine, is thought to be a Neptune-sized world residing far beyond Neptune. Astronomer Terry Long Phan's analysis of the data reveals a faint object moving slowly, matching the expected path of Planet Nine. Follow-up observations with modern telescopes are needed for confirmation.

Astronomers have identified a promising candidate for the elusive Planet Nine by analyzing infrared data collected over a span of 23 years from the IRAS (1983) and AKARI (2006–2011) space telescopes. This object appears as a faint, slow-moving infrared dot across the images, aligning with characteristics expected of Planet Nine. However, skepticism remains, particularly from Caltech astronomer Mike Brown, who initially proposed the Planet Nine theory in 2016. Brown noted that the orbit derived from the infrared data is significantly tilted—about 120 degrees—compared to the expected 15–20 degrees for Planet Nine, suggesting it may be a different object entirely. Confirmation through additional observations is needed.

The discovery stems from a study led by astronomers Terry Long Phan and Tomotsugu Goto, who utilized the 23-year gap between the IRAS and AKARI infrared all-sky surveys to search for slow-moving objects. They identified 13 potential candidates and narrowed it down to one that exhibited the expected motion over the two-decade interval. However, with only two data points, determining a definitive orbit remains challenging. The researchers emphasize the need for follow-up observations to confirm whether this object is indeed Planet Nine.

Planet Nine was first hypothesized in 2016 by Caltech astronomers Michael Brown and Konstantin Batygin to explain the peculiar orbits of several Kuiper Belt objects, including Sedna. Unlike the earlier concept of "Planet X"—linked to theories about periodic mass extinctions—Planet Nine is a massive body that likely follows a highly elongated orbit far beyond Neptune. Estimates place it hundreds of astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, with a mass exceeding Earth's.

The potential discovery of Planet Nine has significant implications for our understanding of the solar system's architecture. If confirmed, it would not only validate the hypothesis proposed by Brown and Batygin but also shed light on the formation and evolution of the outer solar system. The existence of such a planet could explain the clustering of orbits observed in distant trans-Neptunian objects, suggesting a more complex gravitational landscape than previously thought.

Looking ahead, astronomers are hopeful that upcoming observatories, such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, set to begin operations later this year, will provide the necessary data to confirm the existence of Planet Nine. These advanced telescopes will offer deeper and more comprehensive sky surveys, potentially capturing more definitive evidence of this mysterious planet and resolving one of astronomy's most intriguing mysteries.

Sources: Live Science, TechSpot, Science.org, Phys.org

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