Mysterious Planet X may be black hole that’s ’10 times heavier than Earth but the size of a bowling ball’ on edge of our Solar System
A MYSTERIOUS object once thought to be an undiscovered planet on the edge of our Solar System is in fact a tiny black hole, a study claims.
Experts have for years argued that a distant ninth world in our Solar System called Planet X orbits the Sun in a region well beyond Neptune.
Also known as Planet Nine, the idea was put forward in 2016 by astronomers to explain the wobbly orbits of distant objects.
According to them, the hypothetical world could have a mass about 10 times that of Earth and take up to 20,000 years to orbit the Sun.
However, a new study suggests Planet X isn't a planet at all.
Instead, a team of scientists led by Durham University claim it's a black hole about the size of a bowling ball.
If they’re correct, they say they'll be able to find evidence in the form of flashes of radiation ejected from the object.
Specifically, gamma rays should be created by interactions between a mysterious substance called dark matter surrounding the black hole.
Based on previous predictions of Planet X's mass, the black hole would be so dense it could only be the size of a bowling ball.
As it's so small, it's unlikely the black hole poses any threat to Earth – for now.
A whole new world: What is Planet X?
Here's what you need to know...
- Planet X is a theoretical a theoretical ninth planet that may be lurking in the farthest reaches of our solar system
- Also known as Planet Nine, the hypothetical world has never been observed and the jury's still out on whether it actually exists
- Planet X was first suggested in 2016 by astronomers at the California Institute of Technology to explain the wobbly orbits of distant objects
- The space bodies in question lie in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune filled with dwarf planets and icy debris
- Scientists think the gravitational pull of an as-yet undiscovered ninth planet in the solar system could be yanking the objects into strange orbits
- Planet X is said to have a mass about 10 times that of Earth and orbit 20 times farther from the Sun than Neptune
- It may take between 10,000 and 20,000 Earth years to make one full orbit around the Sun
The team now plan to find crucial evidence to back their wacky theory.
The research was published in the pre-print journal .
Planet X has never been observed by scientists, and it's still unclear if it actually exists.
Astronomers at the California Institute of Technology put forward the idea to explain the wobbly orbits of distant objects.
The space bodies in question lie in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune filled with dwarf planets and icy debris.
Scientists think the gravitational pull of an as-yet undiscovered ninth planet in the solar system could be yanking the objects into strange orbits.
Planet X is wrapped up in a strange conspiracy theory.
Conspiracy nuts have claimed for years that a rogue planet called Nibiru may one day smash into Earth, destroying all life as we know it.
Some say Nibiru is in fact Planet X. They reckon its oval orbit will someday take it into the path of our planet.
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In other news, scientists recently discovered a "Super-Earth" 31 light-years away that humans could one day colonise.
Distant planets may host even more life than we have here on Earth, according to one shock study.
And, last month Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine said he believes Pluto should still be classified as a planet.
Do you think Planet X is real? Let us know in the comments!
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