Brazilian Discover New Planet in the Solar System
It is possible that the Solar System contains one more planet than previously thought. According to a new study carried out by Patryk Sofia Lykawka, graduated from the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos), Brazil and current professor at Kindai University, Japan, there may be an additional world more than 200 astronomical units away. 1One astronomical unit corresponds to the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
Orbit Analysis
To carry out this study, Patryk analyzed the orbits of different groups of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), which are those found in the distant Kuiper Belt. During his analysis, he discovered intriguing properties: some of these objects had orbits beyond the gravitational effects of Neptune, while others had an orbital inclination of 45º.
Additionally, a third group had extreme and unusual orbits. By running simulations of the outer Solar System that includes Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, Patryk considered the possibility of an Earth-like planet in varying orbits.
The results obtained indicated that the presence of this hypothetical planet could explain the orbital properties of populations in the distant Kuiper Belt, thus suggesting a fundamental role played by this planet in the formation of said belt.
The Hypothetical Planet
Based on the simulations carried out, it was estimated that this hypothetical planet has a mass of approximately 1,5 to 3 times the mass of Earth. There are three possible orbits for this unknown world, all ranging from 200 to 800 astronomical units. According to the study, the most likely orbits are between 200 and 500 and between 200 and 800 astronomical units.
If the existence of this planet is confirmed, it could lead to a revision of the composition of our solar system, possibly resulting in the reintegration of a ninth planet. Furthermore, as happened in 2006 with the reclassification of Pluto, it would be necessary to review the definition of 'planet', since a massive planet located beyond Neptune would probably belong to a new class.
The study, published in the scientific journal The Astronomical Journal, offers promising evidence of the existence of a previously unknown planet in the outer Solar System. The next steps include carrying out more refined simulations to improve the results obtained and, possibly, confirm the presence of this hypothetical planet.
Conclusion
After analyzing the content produced, it is concluded that the possible discovery of a hidden planet in the Solar System represents a significant advance in the field of astronomy.
This research offers important clues that could lead to a revision of our understanding of the structure and formation of the Solar System. The results of this study highlight the importance of continued scientific research to expand our knowledge about the universe and its complexity.
Picture: © 2024 Francisco Lopes-Santos
