Planet X — The current status
Abstract
Neptune and Pluto were discovered because of predictions derived from the differences between the observations and ephemerides of Uranus, but Pluto wasn't the predicted planet and the discrepancies still exist. This continuing existence of systematic differences between the observations and ephemerides of Uranus and Neptune has led to predictions of a Planet X. The demise of the dinosaurs and the existence of comets have been cited as additional evidence for another celestial object. Therefore, possible bodies have been hypothesized in the outer part of the solar system, or out beyond the solar system, including a binary companion, Nemesis. The theory of relativity and the incompleteness of the law of gravity have also been suggested as explanations for the outer planet discrepancies. Predictions of the possible locations of planet X have been made, with rather large uncertainties, and selected searches of some regions have yielded nothing. IRAS and Pioneer observations exist as additional sources of useful observational data.
- Publication:
-
Celestial Mechanics
- Pub Date:
- January 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF01234554
- Bibcode:
- 1988CeMec..43...55S
- Keywords:
-
- Ceres Asteroid;
- Infrared Astronomy Satellite;
- Planet Ephemerides;
- Pluto (Planet);
- Companion Stars;
- Nemesis (Star);
- Predictions;
- Solar System;
- Astrophysics;
- Neptune:Orbit Theory;
- Orbit Theory:Neptune;
- Orbit Theory:Uranus;
- Planetary Theories;
- Transplutonian Planets;
- Uranus:Orbit Theory