For nearly a decade, astronomers have scoured the outer reaches of the solar system in search of a potential ninth planet. Their quest may soon yield results thanks to a cutting-edge telescope set to begin operations next year.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory: A game changer
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, scheduled to open in 2025, is poised to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos. This state-of-the-art facility is expected to help scientists locate Planet Nine, a hypothesized giant planet lurking in the distant corners of our solar system.
The search for Planet Nine
Over recent years, astronomers have speculated about a ninth world, often referred to as “Planet Nine” or “Planet X,” which may exist billions of miles from the known planets. This potential planet is believed to be a gas or ice giant, with characteristics similar to Neptune but with a mass up to ten times that of Earth.
Mike Brown, an astronomer who co-proposed the Planet Nine hypothesis, expressed optimism that the new telescope could uncover this elusive planet within the next two years. “With the help of the state-of-the-art telescope, Planet Nine could be found within the next two years,” Brown told Live Science.
The observatory’s sophisticated camera, costing $800 million and weighing 2.8 metric tons, will offer unprecedented views of the cosmos. Starting in early 2025, this powerful instrument will capture images of the sky every three days, providing astronomers with valuable data to enhance their galactic studies.
Characteristics and orbit
According to NASA, Planet Nine’s composition is similar to Neptune, yet its orbit is highly elongated and far beyond Pluto. The US Space Agency estimates that this hypothetical planet could take between 10,000 and 20,000 Earth years to complete one orbit around the Sun.
Jim Green, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division, highlighted the excitement surrounding the potential discovery. “This is not, however, the detection or discovery of a new planet. It’s too early to say with certainty there’s a so-called Planet X,” Green cautioned, emphasizing that current predictions are based on limited observations and modelling. “It’s the start of a process that could lead to an exciting result,” he added.
The solar system currently includes eight recognized planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Pluto, once considered the ninth planet, was reclassified as a “dwarf planet” in 2006.
As the Vera C. Rubin Observatory prepares to unlock new cosmic mysteries, the possibility of confirming Planet Nine remains a tantalizing prospect for scientists and space enthusiasts alike.