An article published by Sky & Telescope in 2024 discusses both the challenges and progress in the search for Planet X, also known as Planet 9. Scientists like Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown estimate that Planet 9 might be about 10 times more massive than Earth and follows a highly elongated orbit, taking between 10,000 and 20,000 years to complete one revolution around the Sun. The article also addresses the possibility that observational biases may have influenced previous findings, raising questions about whether the evidence for Planet 9 is real or just a statistical anomaly. Despite these challenges, Batygin and Brown remain hopeful and continue their search using powerful telescopes like Subaru on Mauna Kea. They believe that with further research, the existence of this elusive planet could soon be confirmed.
Link:
New Wrinkles in the Search for “Planet X” - Sky & Telescope
