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| earthsky.org |
It was a disappointing moment in 2006 when scientists decided that Pluto is not a planet. However it turns out that even with the loss of Pluto’s status as a planet, we still might have nine planets in our solar system. This planet has not yet been found, but scientists in multiple countries are racing to find Planet 9. When the planet is spotted there will be no debate about it being an actual planet like there was a debate for Pluto because it is estimated to be ten times the size of Earth which would definitely not make it a dwarf planet. Scientists have not been able to find this planet for so long due to its “bizarre elongated orbit” according to Caltech astronomers. One orbit around the Sun takes up to 20,000 years for Planet 9. If it took us this long to find Planet 9 there could maybe even be a Planet 10.
Questions:
1. Do you think this new planet is just a false alarm?
2. Why do you think it is taking so long for astronomers to find this planet?
Sources:
http://earthsky.org/space/solid-evidence-for-a-9th-planet-say-caltech-astronomers
