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Science Quickly
Finding Pluto’s Potential Replacement with a Giant New Telescope
Jan 10, 2025
Clara Moskowitz, Senior Editor for Space and Physics at Scientific American, discusses the intriguing possibility of finding a true Planet Nine lurking in the outer solar system. She delves into Pluto's controversial reclassification and what that means for celestial research. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as she highlights the Vera Rubin Observatory's potential to unlock cosmic mysteries. With evidence from unusual orbits and the exciting implications of dark matter, this chat combines science with a hint of humor on the ongoing Pluto debate.
18:39
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Quick takeaways
- The speculative existence of Planet Nine is supported by the unusual orbits of distant celestial objects that may indicate its gravitational influence.
- The upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory, with its advanced technology, aims to significantly enhance our understanding of the outer solar system and potentially uncover Planet Nine.
Deep dives
Exploring the Hypothetical Planet Nine
Planet Nine is a proposed celestial body that may exist in our solar system, potentially between five and ten times the size of Earth. Despite being only recently acknowledged within astronomical discussions, this idea stems from odd observations of trans-Neptunian objects, which exhibit unusual orbits that do not conform to the established patterns seen with the eight recognized planets. The discovery of Eris, a large object similar to Pluto, in 2005 triggered debates about the criteria for planetary classification, leading to Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet. The quest for Planet Nine underscores our ongoing search to understand what might be lurking beyond our current celestial map.
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Discover
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