NEW EVIDENCE FOR THE ELUSIVE PLANET 9

This year provided the most compelling evidence yet that our solar system may have a ninth planet, about 10 times the mass of Earth, lurking far beyond Neptune.

The notorious Planet 9 has not been directly observed but researchers at the California Institute of Technology used computer simulations of the orbits of several distant objects beyond Neptune to show the possible presence of the unseen planet.

“Although we were initially quite sceptical that this planet could exist, as we continued to investigate its orbit and what it would mean for the outer solar system, we become increasingly convinced that it is out there,” said Konstantin Batygin who presented the computer modelling evidence in January along with fellow Caltech astronomer Mike Brown.

Even though it’s believed to be 10 times the size of Earth, it has likely escaped the gaze of telescopes because it is so far away from the Sun.

In October another group of scientists added to speculation by publishing a paper in the Astrophysical journal claiming Planet 9 is responsible for the perceived tilt of the Sun.

Some scientists have even predicted we will find the elusive Planet 9 within 16 months.