Very-wide-orbit planets from dynamical instabilities during the stellar birth cluster phase – publication
27 mei 2025
There could be a ninth planet in our Solar System after all and it’s not Pluto; instead, it’s the theoretical Planet X, also called Planet Nine, a wide-orbit planet that would circle the Sun from far beyond Neptune and Pluto.
Planet X has been hypothesized for years, but how such a planet could have appeared in the outer Solar System has long stumped scientists. The study in Nature Astronomy ‘Very-wide-orbit planets from dynamical instabilities during the stellar birth cluster phase’ reveals a novel theory, however. The research suggests that wide-orbit planets (such as Planet X) arise in the early evolution of their planetary systems, when these systems are still inside their stars’ crowded birth clusters. In these tight, chaotic settings, stars and their planets are fighting for space, and sometimes planets are sent flying.
There could be a ninth planet in our Solar System after all and it’s not Pluto; instead, it’s the theoretical Planet X, also called Planet Nine, a wide-orbit planet that would circle the Sun from far beyond Neptune and Pluto.
Planet X has been hypothesized for years, but how such a planet could have appeared in the outer Solar System has long stumped scientists. The study in Nature Astronomy ‘Very-wide-orbit planets from dynamical instabilities during the stellar birth cluster phase’ reveals a novel theory, however. The research suggests that wide-orbit planets (such as Planet X) arise in the early evolution of their planetary systems, when these systems are still inside their stars’ crowded birth clusters. In these tight, chaotic settings, stars and their planets are fighting for space, and sometimes planets are sent flying.
Links:
‘Pinballs in a cosmic arcade’: New study suggests how wide-orbit planets form, supporting existence of Planet Nine
Chaos in Our Solar System Could’ve Caused Planet X’s Theoretically Wide Orbit
Gegevens