Name: The search for our solar system's ninth planet
Uploaded: 2019-11-22T16:00:40Z
Duration: 13 min 42 s
Description: Could the strange orbits of small, distant objects in our solar system lead us to a big discovery? Planetary astronomer Mike Brown proposes the existence of a new, giant planet lurking in the far reaches of our solar system -- and shows us how traces of its presence might already be staring us in the face.

Mike Brown: The search for our solar system's ninth planet

The search for our solar system's ninth planet

Could the strange orbits of small, distant objects in our solar system lead us to a big discovery? Planetary astronomer Mike Brown proposes the existence of a new, giant planet lurking in the far reaches of our solar system -- and shows us how traces of its presence might already be staring us in the face.

Evidence suggests a massive, unseen planet is influencing the orbits of distant, icy bodies far beyond Neptune. Strange patterns among these objects, like Sedna’s 10,000-year orbit that never approaches other planets, point to gravitational effects from something big. Computer simulations indicate this 'Planet Nine' could be the fifth largest planet in our solar system. The hunt is on, using both new telescopic surveys and old sky images, to finally spot this elusive world.