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Planet X
Name: Evelyn
Status: student
Age: 16
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999 - 2000
Question:
I have found multiple resources about Planet X. To this
date, Dec. 19, 2000, is there concrete evidence that there is a tenth
planet in our solar system? I have found resources that say there is and
there isn't. One resource says that people belive that Planet X revolves
around other stars and not around our sun. Can you please answer this to
the best of your knowledge for I am very curious about this subject.
Also, rumors are that Nasa has built a special telescope for this
planet? How can anyone prove and provide concrete evidence about the
discovery of Planet X? Thank you for your time.
Replies:
Evelyn -
To the best of my knowledge Planet X is still in the theory stage. To satisfy
me that it really exists, it would require finding an object that (in photos)
moves against the backdrop of the stars of the galaxy and after plotting its
changing positions and creating a mathematical description of the path... its
trajectory will place it in orbit around the sun. Finding a planet is tough
work!
There is also difficulty in defining a planet by size, position, and
eccentricity of orbit. Some suggest that Pluto should not be considered a
planet. It is very small and has a more eccentric orbit than any other
planet. It does have a moon, though, and it seems to have a smoother surface
than most asteroids.
You might find reading the history of the hunt for planet 9 (then called
planet
X). In particular, the work of Percival Lowell.
Larry Krengel
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Update: June 2012
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