A Brazilian teacher named Patryk Sofia Lykawka may have made a significant finding in the Solar System by examining the motions of trans-Neptunian objects in the Kuiper Belt. This discovery hints at the possibility of an additional planet existing in the outer reaches of our Solar System.
The presumed planet has a mass that is three times greater than that of Earth.
Some trans-Neptunian objects exhibit unusual orbits that do not appear to be solely influenced by the known planets’ gravity. In simulations conducted by the teacher, the possibility of an extra planet similar to Earth located at a great distance, over 200 times the Earth-Sun distance, was considered.
During an interview with Unisinos’ news agency, Patryk clarified:
I got findings that might clarify the orbital characteristics of the distant Kuiper Belt groups.
He found that this theoretical planet could weigh between 1.5 and 3 times the mass of Earth, which implies the presence of another distant planet affecting objects in the Kuiper Belt.
The teacher suggested that this fictional planet might have three potential paths, varying from 200 to 800 times the Earth-Sun distance. Confirming this finding could lead to a new addition to our Solar System, prompting a reconsideration of the definition of a “planet” due to the unique characteristics of this distant planet compared to those we are familiar with.
The professor concluded that we would need to refine the definition of ‘planet’ due to the reclassification of Pluto in 2006, as a large planet situated well beyond Neptune would likely be classified differently.
Source: O Globo
