TED Talks Daily The search for our solar system's ninth planet | Mike Brown
Nov 22, 2019
Join planetary astronomer Mike Brown, known for his groundbreaking work on the search for a ninth planet, as he delves into the mysteries of our solar system. He discusses how the strange orbits of distant objects like Sedna may hint at a massive, unseen planet lurking beyond Neptune. Brown highlights historical efforts by astronomers and the scientific advancements that have reshaped our understanding of celestial mechanics. The excitement in his voice is palpable as he details the challenges and implications of this ongoing cosmic quest.
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Neptune's Discovery
- In 1820, Alexis Bouvard noticed discrepancies in Uranus's orbit, initially blaming flawed star catalogs.
- Later, astronomers realized a distant planet's gravity was influencing Uranus, leading to Neptune's discovery in 1846.
Pluto's Misidentification
- Percival Lowell's prediction of a planet beyond Neptune led to Pluto's discovery in 1930.
- However, Pluto was too small to affect Uranus and Neptune's orbits, proving Lowell wrong and Bouvard eventually correct.
Sedna's Peculiar Orbit
- Mike Brown discovered Sedna in 2003, the most distant object then known in the solar system.
- Sedna's elongated 10,000-year orbit never nears other planets, raising questions about its origin.