StarTalk Radio Things You Thought You Knew – Planet X
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Aug 6, 2024 
Neil deGrasse Tyson, a celebrated astrophysicist, and Chuck Nice, a witty comedian, discuss the tantalizing concept of Planet X. They break down the complexities of the three-body problem in celestial mechanics, pointing out its unsolvable nature. The conversation touches on the universe's potential endings, including the chilling theory of 'heat death.' Amidst the scientific analysis, they also explore humanity's responsibility toward Earth, blending deep insights with humor and curiosity for the cosmos.
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Pluto's Discovery and Demotion
- Astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930 while searching for Planet X.
- Pluto was eventually reclassified as a dwarf planet due to its small size and mass.
Bad Data Sank Planet X Theory
- Erroneous data from telescope observations caused apparent anomalies in Neptune's orbit.
- Correcting for these errors eliminated the need for Planet X to explain Neptune's motions.
Three-Body Problem Is Chaotic
- The three-body problem is inherently chaotic and unsolvable analytically.
- Small changes in initial conditions cause exponential divergence in orbital predictions.