Two researchers from the University of Louisiana, John Matese and Daniel Whitmire have long theorized that our Solar System contains a ninth planet. They believe that this planet, which they have named 'Tyche', is composed of hydrogen and helium, and is a dark, Jupiter-sized planet that lies at the very edges of out solar system past Pluto in the Oort Cloud.
In addition, they believe that this possible planet has it's own moon, and could be the culprit that is hurling comets towards the inner solar system, where we can observe them. The reason that they think this is because having observed these comets, they have found that they have very strange orbits. The cause for they're funny orbits could possibly be this mystery planet.
An article by The Daily Galaxy explains the scientists thinking well in this quote,
"By analyzing patterns that comets make in space the researchers were able to concur that 20 percent of comets in the Oort Cloud would "need a nudge from a distant object about the size of Jupiter.""
It is expected that we will know with in the next five to ten years wether or not Thyce is indeed hanging out there on the edges of our solar system, throwing giant balls of ice at us.
This is really cool, and would make sense if it were proven. You should run a search for this, though; the post you found was not the only article on Tyche (It even has it's own Wikipedia entry!)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Evan it would be very cool if we had a ninth planet, especially if it were the cause for the odd orbits.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure I'm sold on this, but I suppose it makes sense. I read an article that said this theory isn't accepted by most astronomers which leads me to believe it's not true. I'm no astronomer but I'm going to side with the majority. My question is, why haven't we found it yet if we have seen other galaxies and things far beyond our solar system?
ReplyDeleteIf this planet really does exist though, that would be awesome!
the poster above has a point. Why would we never have seen this planet with any of our telescopes? What evidence has lead us to believe it's likely we have a ninth planet?
ReplyDeleteHow did they not find this planet before? They can find galaxies other than our own but they can't find a huge Jupiter sized planet in our own solar system? I don't think that these comets are good enough evidence of this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emma, that it's interesting that they didn't find this before...It is hard to believe that you can completley change the solar system like that because all of us have gotten the idea in our head that we only have these eight planets and the fact that this could change? Wow! Interesting!
ReplyDeletei wonder how far away this mystery planet is, and if they have an estimated location for it!
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