It seems that since we've been observing the solar system, someone is always trying to find Planet X. Sometimes the search leads to something significant, like Pluto, but usually nothing turns up. But now that Pluto's been demoted, the hunt is on to find another object to replace it.
NewScientist chronicles Patryk Lykawka's attempts to "replace" Pluto with a freezing super-Pluto that has somehow escaped detection thus far. The Kobe University researcher remains utterly convinced that we'll find this distant planet within the next few years.
In a distant region of the Kuiper Belt known as the Kuiper cliff, the number of objects drops off sharply. Also, the rocks within the Kuiper Belt follow three distinct orbits. Lykawka thinks Planet X might have sculpted the Kuiper Belt in this manner.
Continue reading 'Planet X: The planet that just won't die' >
We all had ourselves a big cry earlier this year as Pluto got demoted from its position as the ninth planet. Suddenly, the phrase "as far away as Pluto" lost its power, now that we were talking about a "dwarf planet." Noooooooooo!
