Planet Nine hypothesis gains attention through gravitational anomalies

Astronomers are revisiting the hypothesis of a ninth planet, historically known as Planet X or Planet Nine, located at the edge of the solar system. The search is driven by technological advancements, computer simulations, and new analyses of space observations.

Scientists from Caltech identified gravitational anomalies in the orbits of distant icy bodies within the Kuiper Belt. These trans-Neptunian objects appear to be clustered and tilted in a manner that suggests the influence of a massive hidden force. Calculations suggest this hypothetical planet could have a mass between five and ten times that of Earth, with an orbital period lasting between 10,000 and 20,000 years.

Due to its extreme distance—estimated at 20 to 30 times further from the Sun than Neptune—the object reflects very little sunlight, making it nearly invisible to traditional optical telescopes. Researchers are now looking toward infrared spectrum data to find further evidence.