Space

8341 readers

1 users here now

Share & discuss informative content on: Astrophysics, Cosmology, Space Exploration, Planetary Science and Astrobiology.

Rules

Be respectful and inclusive.
No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
Engage in constructive discussions.
Share relevant content.
Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
Use appropriate language and tone.
Report violations.
Foster a continuous learning environment.

Picture of the Day

The Busy Center of the Lagoon Nebula

Related Communities

🔭 Science

🚀 Engineering

🌌 Art and Photography

Other Cool Links

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

There could still be a ninth planet in our solar system. Here's why (phys.org)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

4 comments fedilink hide all child comments

top 3 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Pluto is still right there...

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

maybe - but the IAU's definition for a planet indicates that body must clear its orbital path of debris (excepting any natural satellites or or those otherwise under its gravitational influence) - and that immediately rules out any trans-Neptunian objects. possibly there is something between the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud but our tech is not good enough to detect such a contender for planet as yet.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The hypothetical "planet 9" that astronomers have been actively searching for during the past several years is expected to orbit somewhere between the Kuiper belt and the Oort cloud — and we absolutely do have the technology to detect it, it's just painstaking work that takes a lot of telescope time (which is in short supply since lots of astronomers are all competing for it) and is difficult to automate.

load more comments