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, delves into the quest for a potential new ninth planet beyond Pluto. She discusses the Vera Rubin Observatory's upcoming launch and its promise of uncovering hidden celestial bodies. The conversation highlights Pluto's controversial status, the peculiar orbits of distant objects hinting at Planet Nine, and the transformative impact of new astronomical tools. Clara also reflects on the debates within the scientific community about what it means to be a planet.
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Quick takeaways
- The Vera Rubin Observatory's advanced capabilities may uncover the elusive Planet Nine, reshaping our understanding of solar system dynamics.
- Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet highlights the evolving definitions in astronomy, prompting renewed interest in discovering additional celestial bodies.
Deep dives
Understanding Planet Nine
Planet Nine is a hypothetical celestial body that may exist within our solar system, theorized to be significantly larger than Earth. Its potential existence raises intriguing questions about our understanding of solar system dynamics, especially given that there are currently only eight recognized planets. The interest in Planet Nine emerged from the odd orbits of certain distant objects in the solar system, which do not align with the orbits of known planets, suggesting a larger influence may be at play. If confirmed, this planet could reshape our geological and astronomical knowledge about our own cosmic neighborhood.
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