Monday, 5 March 2012

The Kuiper Cliff and Planet X

There have been ideas floating around the scientific community about the possibility of a 10th planet existing in the outer region of our solar system. Although this idea has received much criticism, there are also many who acknowledge the possibility as a realistic one. At the furthest edges of our solar system, far beyond Pluto (not a planet :(...) is what is called the Kuiper Cliff. This is an area in the Kuiper Belt extending from 30-50 AU from the sun, composed of thousands of "ice rocks." The Cliff is a region where, suddenly, there is nothing; the density of "ice rocks" in the region decreases dramatically. In the above picture, the green dots represent the Kuiper Belt. It is obvious that there is something going on in the area at the bottom of the screen, where suddenly, there are no more "ice rocks." This is the area where some people believe our solar system's 10th planet (for now, termed "Planet X") is located. This planet is supposed to be between the masses of Earth and Mars, located beyond 48 AU.
A planet would explain the sudden decrease in the amount of "ice rocks" in the Kuiper Belt because it would create a major gravitational force, sweeping up any nearby objects. There have been theories of a 10th planet somewhere outside Neptune's orbit ever since the discovery of Neptune, but when Pluto was discovered, people thought that this is what they were looking for. However, with the recent declassification of Pluto as a planet, other theories are starting to become more prevalent.
NASA has launched a probe (New Horizons) to check out Pluto, but it will not arrive until 2015, and since we do not yet have the technology to view this possible planet from earth, we'll have to wait another 3 years before we get any concrete answers.

25 comments:

  1. Of course there a more then a triple of amount in dark matter...And speaking of which, really it is that there in an infinity amount. Wonder if other people will find the planets on earth and name it after themselves? Maybe, but first they will have to do a research test on the exact planet.
    -Bye, C.J. Muir

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    Replies
    1. Your of course right. Though is it true that they would have to do planet research before naming it?

      -Sincerely,Christopher

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    2. No.
      -C.J. Muir

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  2. *9th, not tenth.

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  3. THIS BLOG SUCKS BALLS 50! O WHAT A FREAKE

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  4. Trololololololololololololololololololololololol

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  5. The new planet is called Yo Mama

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  6. You know you love me, I know you care
    Just shout whenever, and I'll be there
    You are my love, you are my heart
    And we will never ever ever be apart

    Are we an item? Girl, quit playing
    We're just friends, what are you saying?
    Say there's another and look right in my eyes
    My first love broke my heart for the first time
    And I was like...MOAR!!!!!!!!

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  7. HERE COMES URANUS YOU'LL LIKE HIM, FAGODS!!!!!!

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  8. NUH UH NIGGA, I AIN'T READING ALL THAT SEASON 1 HIGH!!!!!

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  9. iăm bông làm từ da bẩn, thịt thối; ruốc làm từ bã sắn dây, gà đông lạnh chảy nước; gan lợn chết và mỡ thối được dùng làm patê... Quy trình chế biến những mặt hàng thịt nguội này khiến người ăn rùng mình.

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  10. SO TELL ME WHAT TO DO NOW, COZ I WANT, WANT YOU!!!!

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  11. You're gay, you're gay you're gay yes you're very very gay.

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  12. Bring it on. I can only use one leg. You'll lose.

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  13. The next time I see you, I'll grind your face against the pavement.
    P.S. SO TELL ME WHAT TO DO NOW, COZ I WANT, WANT YOU!!!!

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  14. You ugly cow, stay away from my boyfriend.
    P.S. SO TELL ME WHAT TO DO NOW, COZ I WANT, WANT YOU!!!!

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  15. Why are you still alive?
    P.S. SO TELL ME WHAT TO DO NOW, COZ I WANT, WANT YOU!!!!

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  16. You are gay and have an old man's hairs!

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  17. Fail, "Rigtig god sang" is Danish and means really good song :)

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  18. If there is a planet out the we should name it Faunus after the Roman god of shepherds. Much like the shepherd moons in Saturn's rings this planet would be the shepherd of the Kuiper Belt.

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