Back in January it was proposed in The Astronomical Journal that a 9th planet had to exist for the data they had to make sense. Some Kuiper Belt Objects, small bodies like Pluto, beyond Neptune, were distributed in such a way that random chance could not account for it. A new planet, one of 10 Earth masses, had to exist. They could calculate it's orbit, but finding it along that path will require an immense effort.
At the end of February some French astronomers using data collected from the Cassini spacecraft, launched in 1997, have been able to narrow the possibilities.
At the end of February some French astronomers using data collected from the Cassini spacecraft, launched in 1997, have been able to narrow the possibilities.
They have developed the "INPOP planetary ephemerides" which can calculate the motion of planets in our solar system with the highest accuracy so far.
We will not know if the scientists are right until someone observes the planet directly, but the hunt is on!
For more information:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160225085653.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160120114539.htm
We will not know if the scientists are right until someone observes the planet directly, but the hunt is on!
For more information:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160225085653.htm
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160120114539.htm