New clues for mysterious ninth planet in our solar system | Tech and Science

Several scientists have been talking about the existence of a ninth planet in our solar system for some time. This hidden planet at the edge of our solar system would influence the movements of celestial bodies around Neptune.

These celestial bodies should move in a fixed orbit, but they don’t. The anomalous movements could be the result of the existence of a ninth planet. The gravity of this planet would attract the celestial bodies.

“It is a battle between two parties,” says Rob van den Berg. He is an astronomer at the Sonnenborgh observatory. “One group of scientists says the anomalous movements are caused by a ninth planet. But the other group says they are the result of the gravitational pull given off by moving concentrations of stars.”

Those concentrations are close to the sun and moving. Due to the movement, they also release gravity in a certain direction. “The combination of forces exerts an effect on objects inside and outside our solar system. This is called the galactic tide,” says Van den Berg.

In the new science article, the research team provides additional clues that explain the anomalous movements of celestial bodies around Neptune. Scientists have extensively studied these celestial bodies.

The observations were used to create several computer simulations. These simulations looked at how the path of celestial objects is influenced by other planets, passing stars and the galactic tide.

Scientists have analyzed the results of the simulations. This made it clear that there are also other explanations for the deviating routes of celestial bodies around Neptune. But the theory of a ninth planet would still be the best explanation.

The planet Neptune was discovered in a similar way, according to Van den Berg. “Anomalies were discovered in the orbit of the planet Uranus. When that was investigated years ago, Neptune was discovered.”

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According to Van den Berg, it is not inconceivable that there is a ninth planet in our galaxy. “A number of celestial bodies have already been discovered that extend beyond our solar system. An example of this is Sedna. If a ninth planet moves into such an orbit, we may not be able to see it yet.”

“The planet may then be very far from the sun and moving very slowly,” the astronomer continues. “A planet does not emit any light itself. If no sunlight shines on it, it cannot be seen. A planet that is so far from the sun and moves very slowly is almost impossible to discover. So there is a real chance that there is a ninth planet.”

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is currently under construction in Chile. This place, named after the astronomer Vera Rubin, will house several telescopes. This allows the possible existence of a clogged planet to be investigated even better.