
Observations of planetary positions based on mathematical calculations analysing orbits have led a pair of astronomers at Caltech to suggest the possibility that a large; yet-to-be-discovered planet lurks far beyond Pluto — known as Planet 9, which is a theoretical planet formally discovered in 2015.
Since then, researchers claim to have found more evidence for the existence of Planet 9. By tracking the movements of long-period objects exhibiting irregular motions during their travels past Neptune's orbit, scientists have created several computer simulations.
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Like some other planets, Planet 9’s orbit will be highly elliptical it would take approximately 7,400 and 18,500 years to complete just one rotation around the sun. In addition to considering the effects of Neptune's gravity, the team also included data to take into account what are known as galactic tides, the forces exerted by Milky Way objects.
The research team found the behaviour of the objects was an interference effect exerted from a long distant planet. Unluckily the location of the planet was unrecognisable. The researchers acknowledged that other forces may be able to explain the behaviour they have replicated.
According to the Phys.Org, it was worth noting that more evidence on Planet 9 will become available as the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile as it is scheduled to begin operating sometime next year. They note that it will be equipped to explore new methods for rigorous assessment of the planet's existence.