It is possible that far from the Sun, in the outer solar system is a big planet similar in size to Neptune. After the simulation, such conclusions were reached by astronomers at the American University of Caltech.
Is far beyond the orbit of Neptune in our solar system may be yet another facility that meets the conditions to determine his planet? Since decades, astronomers searching for such a body, but so far without results. Admittedly, the bar is hung very high and “far”. High enough that observation missions may not provide in this situation, even the first clues.
In recent years, most scientists were convinced that in the Kuiper Belt, which includes, inter alia, examined in the middle of last year, Pluto may be hidden only small objects, not the planet. The results of the research of two scientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, however, suggests another possibility: the discovery of a planet suddenly can not wait twice smaller than Neptune. For such is the conclusion astronomers Konstantin Batygin and Michael Brown of Caltech said. The latter is known among others the discovery of an object Sedna in 2003. Their conclusion is based on a “hit” the statistical analysis orbits of distant objects, including Sedna and 2012 VP113 object. The orbits of these bodies are different from most orbits of Kuiper Belt objects, and so far there has been proposed no good theory explaining their eccentricity.
The rock and ice body from the Kuiper Belt undoubtedly influenced by Neptune. However, Sedna, discovered in 2003 by Brown, and the object 2012 VP113 have orbits significantly less related to the effects of gravity last known planet in our solar system. Batygin and Brown put forward the thesis that it was hypothetical ninth planet may explain the characteristics of the orbit of Sedna and 2012 VP113.
Researchers in 2014 issued a scientific work of thirteen most distant Kuiper Belt objects, which were characterized by similar features. As a result of further work we found that six of them have elliptical orbits, wherein further the sun points coincide in the same location. Besides, it turned out that all the orbits are inclined at the same angle (30 degrees below the plane of the solar system). A potential explanation for this “cluster” study group objects had to be other, not yet discovered the body of the Kuiper Belt, which together would form a sufficient force of gravity. This hypothesis has, however, abolished due to the fact that Kuiper belt would in that case be a hundred times greater than today. The second most obvious explanation would be the existence of an unknown planet.
The first simulations take into account possible ninth planet orbiting around said a group of six Kuiper Belt objects. However, it did not explain everything, so rejected such a setting. At some point, however, entirely by chance, the researchers conducted a simulation with a very unobvious of the planet. It turned out that the model simulates the behavior of the whole system is working properly when the ninth planet is on anti-leveled orbit. The best of this situation illustrates the graphic below. Point perihelion (the shortest distance to the Sun) ninth planet would be on the other side of the perihelion of respondents Kuiper Belt objects as well as all known nowadays planets of the solar system.
Scientists know that this arrangement does not look natural – at first glance you can see that in the long term should lead to a situation disruption of traffic or even crash. However, the situation may look quite different as a result of the gravitational resonance and ultimately stabilize the orbits of all these objects. Moreover, it can be exchanged energy between them.
But the real fuel to the fire added another aspect – being completely separate piece of the puzzle that fits into the whole revolutionary. It turned out that the developed model of the Ninth Planet (from the standpoint of orbital mechanics) provides for the presence of objects in the Kuiper Belt, whose orbits are inclined perpendicular to the plane of the orbits of the planets. Researchers have passed then understand that for several years have been known for such objects!
The last three years have already been observed four objects in the Kuiper Belt, whose orbits are inclined in a unique way similar, ie. Perpendicular to the orbital plane Neptune. After implementing all the parameters of the orbits of these objects to the model, we found that they form a complete whole. The analysis therefore indicates that the ninth planet is bound by gravity to an identifiable group of objects whose unusual orbit, becoming in this way can the simple explanation.
Batygin and Brown believe that were discovered the theoretical groundwork for the possibility of a massive object Planetary in the outer solar system. The mass of this object is estimated to be at least ten Earth masses (for comparison, is about the mass of Neptune. 17 Earth masses). What’s more, Batygin and Brown believe that there are only 0.007 percent. the likelihood of such an organization orbits of small Kuiper Belt objects without the presence of a massive planet. This means that at the moment 99.993 percent. It identified the theoretical basis for the existence of the new facility planetary solar system.
The ninth planet’s orbit is probably very eccentric. Perihelion can be about 200 astronomical units. As a reminder, you can add that it is four times more distant than Pluto’s orbit aphelion. Such a planet would not be easy to detect because of the very low temperature of its surface. Circulation around the sun would it take from 10 to 20 thousand years.
Explorers are moderately enthusiastic about the announced results of the research. They argue that the supposed planet with a mass about five thousand dwarf planets such as Pluto could not be considered a Kuiper Belt object. If too eccentric, highly inclined orbit of some Kuiper Belt objects is to correspond to an object – it will definitely be at the scale of impact the planet.
Brown and other scientists began searching the Ninth Planet. The orbit is known only roughly. In addition, if the object is located near aphelion, that his finding is necessary to use the largest telescopes on Earth, such as the twin Keck and Subaru Telescope. The presence of the Ninth Planet elsewhere in its orbit will enable obviously benefit from a larger number of telescopes. Therefore, researchers publish the results of previous research.
Brown is known for the leading role he played with “degradation” titer of Pluto (the planet to dwarf planet). Now, however, there is a chance to discover an object, which can play a significant role in the “balance of power” of our solar system. If, indeed, far beyond the orbit of Neptune is the ninth planet of the large mass – will be a revolution in our perception of the solar system and its evolution.
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