Planet Nine, which may be lurking in the outer solar system, according to a new study.
The ninth planet, if it exists, is hiddenbeyond the orbit of Neptune in an icy region known as the Kuiper belt. Scientists first suggested its existence in 2016. They used the hypothetical planet as a possible explanation for the unusual orbits of several Extreme Trans-Neptunian Objects (ETNOs). We are talking about asteroids, comets, moons or dwarf planets that are beyond 30 astronomical units from the Sun.
Researchers believe that the trajectory of these ETNOsthe easiest way to explain it is by the gravitational force of an undiscovered planet. It is believed to be five to ten times the size of the Earth and orbits the Sun about 250 times further than our planet.
So far, scientists who have searched for thisarea, found no trace of Planet Nine. But this is not surprising; the planet is too far away for it to reflect enough sunlight.
In a new article presented in TheAstrophysical Journal and uploaded to the arXiv preprint database, scientist Man Ho-Chan suggested that the key to discovering Planet Nine is its moon bodies. The astronomer, from the Education University of Hong Kong, used estimates of the size and gravity of the hypothetical object. He discovered that up to 20 satellites revolve around the supposed planet, each with a diameter of up to 100 km.
In addition, tidal forces arising duringmoving in the gravitational field of the planet, these satellites heat up, making them noticeable for observations using special equipment on Earth. Even if the hypothetical planet itself remains elusive for observation, satellites will “give away” its existence.
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