Astronomers discover new object in outer solar system

Astronomers have discovered a new world circling the outer edges of our solar system.

Discovery of new world challenges Planet Nine theory

Astronomers using the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii have discovered a distant object named 2023 KQ14, also known as Ammonite, located beyond Pluto. This object is classified as a sednoid, a rare type of icy body in the outer solar system. It follows an orbit that has remained stable for approximately 4.5 billion years. The unique orbital characteristics of Ammonite suggest that the outer solar system is more complex than previously thought and challenge the existence of the fabled Planet Nine. Currently, only four sednoids are known within our solar system, making Ammonite an important find for understanding the evolution of our cosmic neighborhood. Experts speculate that a planet may have once existed in this region before being ejected.

The discovery of Ammonite not only adds to our knowledge of the outer solar system but also raises new questions about the formation and dynamic history of the celestial bodies there. The findings challenge the ongoing search for Planet Nine, indicating that the gravitational forces exerted by existing bodies, or even a past ejected planet, may explain the peculiar orbits of distant objects instead. It underscores that our understanding of the solar system’s architecture is still evolving. With fewer candidates for other planets, future research may need to shift focus to explain the complexities revealed by this find.

Highlights

Future discoveries may reshape our understanding of the solar system's history.