Planet nine stays hidden, but the solar system has a new mystery guest
Neptune
. Named
2017 OF201
, the object measures roughly 700 kilometres across and lies three times farther from Earth than Neptune. Its elongated orbit swings out over 1,600 times the distance between Earth and the Sun, taking it deep into the Oort cloud—a distant shell of icy objects surrounding the solar system.
The new find comes from a US-based research team that had been searching for the mysterious Planet Nine. While they didn't locate the long-theorised giant planet, their work led to the unexpected discovery of 2017 OF201.
What makes 2017 OF201 different
According to lead author Sihao Cheng of the
Institute for Advanced Study
in New Jersey, the orbit of this object spans 25,000 years. During that time, it is visible from Earth for only around 0.5 percent of its orbit—about one century.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Fix Grammatical Errors and Typos With this Desktop App
Grammarly
Install Now
Undo
'It's already getting fainter and fainter,' Cheng said.
Despite being three times smaller than Pluto, the object is likely large enough to qualify as a dwarf planet. Pluto itself, once considered the ninth planet, was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006.
Live Events
Amateur astronomer
Sam Deen
, aged 23, independently traced 2017 OF201 using archival data. 'OF201 is, in my opinion, probably one of the most interesting discoveries in the outer solar system in the last decade,' he said.
A challenge to the Planet Nine theory
The theory of Planet Nine originated from observations that icy objects in the Kuiper Belt tend to move in clustered orbits. Scientists suggested this pattern might be caused by the gravitational pull of an undiscovered planet, possibly up to 10 times the size of Earth.
However, 2017 OF201 does not follow the clustered pattern seen in those earlier discoveries. This raises questions about whether the clustering is really due to an unseen planet.
Cheng acknowledged this, saying the object's orbit could 'pose a problem for the
Planet Nine theory
,' though he added that more data is required before drawing firm conclusions.
Samantha Lawler, an astronomer at the University of Regina in Canada, described the find as a 'great discovery' and added that it weakens the original argument for Planet Nine. 'The original argument for Planet Nine is getting weaker and weaker,' she said.
Despite the doubts, Cheng remains hopeful. 'We're in an era when big telescopes can see almost to the edge of the universe,' he said. 'But what is in our backyard still largely remains unknown.'
The researchers are now requesting time on
high-powered observatories
, including the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble, to study the object further.
Meanwhile, astronomers are also looking ahead to the
Vera Rubin Observatory
, due to become operational in Chile this year. Deen is optimistic. 'With Vera Rubin on the horizon I don't think we'll have to wonder about its existence for much longer,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
24 minutes ago
- India Today
Artificial rain in Jaipur through pilot drone project to revive Ramgarh Lake
A pilot project to create artificial rain using drones was launched on Tuesday in Jaipur with the aim of reviving Ramgarh Lake and improving water availability in drought-hit areas of initiative, led by Agriculture Minister Dr Kirori Lal Meena, is the first in India to combine drone-based cloud seeding with artificial intelligence (AI).The technology, developed by US and Bengaluru-based firm Gen X AI, uses an AI-powered platform called "Hydro Trace" to identify suitable clouds for seeding using real-time data, satellite images and Once the right conditions are detected, drones release small amounts of seeding agents such as sodium chloride to help form 60-day mission will involve around 60 test flights, with drones expected to fly four to five times a month, depending on weather from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) will be processed to time the seeding project has approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Agriculture Department, Meteorological Department and local the first day, the trial did not go as planned. The GPS signal was disrupted due to heavy mobile usage by the large crowd present, preventing the drone from reaching its target one attempt, it failed to lift off properly, and in another, it became stuck in bushes near the situation briefly caused tension between onlookers and police, but was brought under control. The technical team said future trials will have restricted public access and measures to avoid signal to Gen X AI founder Rakesh Agarwal, earlier cloud seeding efforts in India used aircraft over large areas, but drones allow precision targeting of small could make artificial rain possible in specific locations, such as farms affected by dry spells despite monsoon clouds. The team has been monitoring weather patterns in Jaipur for the past 20 Climate Engineer Dr N Sai Bhaskar Reddy of Excel-1, a partner in the project, said that Tuesday's plan was to fly the drone up to 400 feet, but current cloud formations are higher than that. The trial, originally scheduled for July 31, was postponed due to heavy rain Meena assured that the chemicals used are safe for people, animals and crops, and meet international standards. If successful, the project could help raise lake and groundwater levels, improve farm irrigation, and increase crop experiment is being funded by Gen X AI, which will share its findings with the Rajasthan government after two the trial works, similar operations could be launched in other drought-prone areas of the state and across scientist Kalyan Chakraborty said such drone-based precision cloud seeding has been used in the US before, but this is the first attempt in India.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Jaipur
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
What are orcas? See killer whale size, appearance, life cycle, population growth, habitat, movements, hunting strategies and diet and real trainers list killed in attacks
What are orcas ? See killer whale size, appearance, life cycle, population growth, habitat, movements, hunting strategies and diet. Some real trainers have gotten killed in killer whale attacks. Orcas, also called killer whales , are among the most recognizable marine animals. Found in oceans around the world, they are known for their intelligence, hunting skills, and complex social structures. While they rarely pose a threat to humans in the wild, incidents in captivity have led to fatalities involving trainers. Orcas Size and Appearance Adult male orcas can grow up to 9–10 meters long and weigh over 5 tonnes. Males have tall dorsal fins that can reach nearly 2 meters in height. These features make them easy to spot in the water. Despite their size, orcas are fast swimmers capable of traveling long distances. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Orcas Life Cycle and Population Growth Female orcas usually begin reproducing in their early teens. Pregnancies last about 17 months, one of the longest among marine mammals. Calves are born several years apart, slowing population recovery if numbers decline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Also Read: Covid outbreak panic: Attorney warns of Covid surge in Florida's infamous Alligator Alcatraz immigration jail Orcas Habitat and Movements Orcas live in many ocean regions, from polar waters to tropical seas. Some groups remain in one location year-round, while others travel thousands of kilometers. Movements depend on seasonal patterns and food availability. Live Events Orcas Hunting Strategies and Diet Orcas have varied diets depending on their location. Some primarily eat fish, such as salmon, while others hunt seals, dolphins, or even whales. They use cooperative hunting methods, such as wave-making or team attacks. Hunting skills are passed down within pods, showing cultural learning in the species. Threats to Orcas in the Wild Despite being apex predators, orcas face threats from human activity. Ship noise and underwater construction disrupt communication and hunting. Overfishing reduces prey availability. Pollution leads to chemical buildup in their bodies, affecting health and reproduction. Also Read: Alien: Earth: When will new episodes drop? Here's release date, time on FX and Hulu, storyline, cast, characters and complete episode schedule Documented Fatal Attacks on Trainers 1991 – Keltie Byrne At Sealand of the Pacific in Canada, trainer Keltie Byrne fell into a tank containing Tilikum , Nootka IV, and Haida II. The orcas prevented her escape, and she drowned. 1999 – Daniel Dukes At SeaWorld Orlando, Daniel Dukes was found dead on Tilikum's back. He had drowned and had injuries consistent with orca bites. Reports suggest he entered the tank after park hours. 2010 – Dawn Brancheau SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by Tilikum during a show in Orlando. The orca dragged her underwater. The autopsy cited multiple traumatic injuries and drowning as the cause of death. 2009 – Alexis Martinez At Loro Parque in Spain, trainer Alexis Martinez was killed by orca Keto during a rehearsal. The incident caused multiple fractures, internal injuries, and drowning. Captivity and Aggression Concerns These incidents have led to debates about keeping orcas in captivity. In the wild, orcas are not known to kill humans, but captivity-related stress may contribute to unpredictable and aggressive behavior toward trainers. FAQs Have orcas ever killed humans in the wild? There are no confirmed cases of wild orcas killing humans. Fatal attacks have only occurred in captivity, often involving stressed orcas in confined tanks. Why are captive orcas considered dangerous to trainers? Captive conditions can cause stress, boredom, and frustration in orcas. These factors may lead to aggressive behavior, increasing the risk of injury or death to trainers.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Union Cabinet approves 2 semiconductor projects worth Rs 4,009cr for Odisha
Bhubaneswar: Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved two major semiconductor manufacturing units worth Rs 4,009 crore for Odisha. The two projects, to be set up in Bhubaneswar's Info Valley, will generate thousands of high-skilled jobs, catalyse electronics manufacturing and help place Odisha on the global semiconductor map, sources said. The two manufacturing units will be built by SiCSem and 3D Glass. Given the growing demand for semiconductors in telecom, automotive, data centres, consumer electronics and industrial electronics, the newly approved projects will significantly contribute to creating an ' Atmanirbhar Bharat ', official sources said. Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Cabinet's approval, chief minister Mohan Majhi said in an X post, "The recent amendment of the Odisha Semiconductor Manufacturing and Fabless Policy, aimed at enhancing investment viability, competitiveness, and sustainability, together with this significant Cabinet approval, marks a major milestone in the state's industrial and technological advancement. I look forward to continued partnership between the state and central govts to further this strategic initiative for the comprehensive development of Odisha and the nation." SiCSem Pvt Ltd, in collaboration with UK-based Clas-SiC Wafer Fab Ltd, will set up India's first commercial compound semiconductor fabrication facility here. The plant will manufacture silicon carbide (SiC) devices, known for their efficiency in high-power applications, with an annual capacity of 60,000 wafers and 96 million packaged units. The SiC devices will have applications across critical sectors, including missiles, defence equipment, electric vehicles (EVs), railway, fast chargers, data centre racks, consumer appliances and solar power inverters. The facility is expected to give India a strategic edge in producing next-generation power electronics domestically. The second project, by US-headquartered 3D Glass Solutions Inc (3DGS), will introduce the world's most advanced semiconductor packaging technology. The unit will manufacture glass interposers, silicon bridges and 3D heterogeneous integration (3DHI) modules. The component are crucial for miniaturisation, high performance and energy efficiency in electronics. With a planned capacity of about 69,600 glass panel substrates, 50 million assembled units, and 13,200 3DHI modules annually, the facility will cater to applications in defence, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, RF and automotive electronics, photonics and co-packaged optics. Officials said the two projects will not only bring cutting-edge technology to Odisha but also create a ripple effect in the state's electronics ecosystem, encouraging ancillary industries and boosting technical skill development. Apart from two Odisha projects, the Cabinet also approved one project each for Punjab and Andhra Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM). Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed the Cabinet's decision to set up the two units in Odisha. He said the decision is a pivotal moment for the state, emphasising its potential to create jobs and generate substantial revenue. Pradhan expressed his gratitude to the PM and highlighted that this move marks a new chapter in the 'Purvodaya' mission. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
