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2d ago

Infrared Data Reveals Potential Candidate for Elusive Planet Nine

Astronomers identify a faint moving object in archival IRAS and AKARI surveys, but confirmation requires further optical observations.

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Illustration of the solar system, showing the paths of the eight major planets as they orbit the Sun.
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Overview

  • Researchers led by Terry Long Phan have detected a faint object in infrared data from NASA's IRAS (1983) and Japan's AKARI (2006) surveys, consistent with the hypothesized motion of Planet Nine.
  • The candidate object, based on its brightness, is estimated to be more massive than Neptune, but its precise orbit remains undetermined.
  • The study has been accepted for publication in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, marking a significant step in Planet Nine research.
  • Mike Brown, a key proponent of the Planet Nine hypothesis, has expressed skepticism, citing inconsistencies in the candidate's orbital tilt and direction relative to theoretical expectations.
  • Follow-up optical observations with powerful telescopes, such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Dark Energy Camera, are critical to confirm the object's identity and resolve debates.