Discovering Planet 9: Exciting Findings from IRAS and AKARI Surveys | BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Suggestions of a ninth planet in our Solar System have been buzzing for years. Some astronomers believe that a planet, possibly like Neptune, could be influencing the orbits of certain distant objects beyond Neptune. This theoretical “Planet 9” might be hiding far away, roughly 300 Astronomical Units from the Sun (1 AU is the distance from the Earth to the Sun).

Despite numerous searches, this elusive planet hasn’t been spotted yet, making the discussion quite controversial. Planet 9’s predicted orbit is at least ten times farther from the Sun than Neptune, making it tough to see. It doesn’t reflect much light back to Earth, adding to the challenge for astronomers.

The Challenge of Discovery

One major issue is light. Finding Planet 9 by its reflected sunlight is difficult. If it were indeed ten times further than Neptune, it would show up about 10,000 times fainter than what we can see with our naked eyes. However, the planet does emit some thermal radiation, which is easier to detect in infrared light.

Terry Long Phan from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan is leading the search using infrared telescopes. He analyzed data from two important missions: IRAS, launched in 1983, and AKARI, launched in 2006. Though these missions were years apart, they help in tracking objects that move slowly across the sky.

Phan’s sophisticated software scanned infrared data to identify any objects that had shifted. Out of many candidates, one stood out. This potential Planet 9 has moved about 47.5 arcminutes over the span of 23 years—roughly one and a half times the width of the full Moon.

What’s Next?

If this find truly represents Planet 9, we’re in early stages. With only two positions recorded, we need more observations to understand its orbit better. Phan suggests using the Dark Energy Camera in Chile for follow-up studies.

Interestingly, many enthusiasts and social media users are captivated by the idea of Planet 9. Tweets and posts often speculate about what a new planet would mean for our understanding of the solar system. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 65% of the public would be excited about new discoveries in space, showcasing just how interested people are in these cosmic questions.

Conclusion

While we still have many questions surrounding Planet 9, the ongoing research shows promise and supports the idea that there’s still more to discover in our Solar System. These efforts not only enhance our knowledge of the cosmos but also inspire curiosity and wonder about what lies beyond.

For further details, check the original research by Terry Long Phan here.

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