Possible 9th planet hiding near edge of solar system, astronomers say

A Mars-like planet is believed to be hiding near the edge of the solar system.  FILE PHOTO

As technology continues to evolve, more and more celestial bodies are being unraveled by mankind.

Caltech scientists are raving about a mysterious celestial body, believed to be hanging around the orbits of the solar system’s most distant inhabitants.

Dubbed as “Planet Nine,” the Mars-sized body is believed to be somewhere near the Kuiper belt—a swarm of small icy objects that goes beyond the farthest orbit of Pluto, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Despite having no physical evidence of its existence, University of Arizona astronomers Kat Volk and Renu Malhotr said experts could sense its presence.

“It’s significant,” Volk was quoted as saying in the report. “And the most likely explanation is this object on the outer solar system.”

Furthermore, most of the neighboring bodies in the solar system have already been tracked due to its proximity to Jupiter’s steadying heft, but far away Kuiper belt objects (KBOs) like “Planet Nine” orbit in all sorts of unusual angles, making it almost undetectable.

The Caltech researchers also said that this “massive perturber” is responsible for several peculiarities f KBOs closest to the sun.

“It’s the same idea of indirectly detecting a planet by its effects,” Volk said.

Previously, Pluto held the distinction as the ninth planet in our solar system before being demoted to a “dwarf planet.”  Khristian Ibarrola /ra