Computer simulation shows that there may be unknown terrestrial planets on the outer edge of the solar system
Kinki University in Japan recently released a press release stating that researchers from the university and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan have successfully reproduced multiple features of objects in the Kuiper Belt outside the orbit of Neptune using computer simulations. The simulation results indicate that there may be an unknown terrestrial planet on the outer edge of the solar system. The research results have been published in the international academic journal Astronomy.
This is a solar system model taken on September 23, 2016 at the Pingtang Astronomical Experience Museum in Guizhou. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Xu
The communique states that Neptune and the Kuiper Belt objects that exist outside their orbits are believed to be traces left by the formation of planets on the outer edge of the solar system, especially since Kuiper Belt objects may have formed unique orbits due to the sustained influence of planetary gravity. The existing typical Kuiper Belt and solar system formation models are difficult to fully explain the multiple characteristics of Kuiper Belt celestial bodies.
According to the report, in this study, researchers hypothesized the existence of unknown planets within the Kuiper Belt, reflected the influence of planets in computer simulation models, and then verified this hypothesis. The simulation results can reproduce the characteristics of Kuiper Belt objects that the previous standard model could not explain, and are almost consistent with the current actual observation results.
Further research by the research team has found that if there is an Earth like planet with a mass 1.5 to 3 times that of Earth and an orbital inclination of 30 degrees in an area approximately 30 to 75 billion kilometers away from the Sun, multiple characteristics of Kuiper Belt objects can be explained. Meanwhile, this planet played an important role in the formation of the Kuiper Belt.
The communique stated that this study revealed the possibility of undiscovered planets on the outer edge of the solar system.