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Astronomers find first direct evidence of Planet Nine
Yahoo Tech • • science
Key Points:
- Astronomers have identified the strongest clue yet to the existence of Planet Nine, a hypothetical massive planet believed to influence the orbits of distant icy objects beyond Neptune.
- The discovery was made by comparing thermal infrared data from NASA's 1983 IRAS satellite and Japan's AKARI spacecraft from 2006-2007, revealing a candidate object that shifted position over 23 years.
- Despite this promising candidate, scientists caution that its orbit is not yet confirmed, and the object's faintness and assumptions about its properties require further verification.
- The next step involves observing the candidate with the Dark Energy Camera on the Blanco Telescope in Chile to track its movement and determine if it follows an orbit consistent with Planet Nine.
- While Planet Nine remains hypothetical, this research provides a more concrete target for investigation, potentially advancing the search for a hidden giant planet at the solar system’s edge.
