The vast expanse of the outer solar system could be harboring hidden Alien planets that originated in other star systems, a theory proposed by theoretical astrophysicist Amir Siraj from Princeton University. According to his calculations, these concealed planets could include 1.2 with a mass surpassing that of Mars, 2.7 with a mass comparable to Mars, and 5.2 with a mass comparable to Mercury.
The intriguing idea stems from the discovery of free-floating or rogue planets – planets that have become dislodged from their parent stars, wandering alone through the galaxy. Gravitational interactions are believed to eject these planets from their original solar systems, creating a significant population of nomadic celestial bodies.
Estimates on the prevalence of rogue planets are improving, and what makes them even more fascinating is the possibility that they might not remain solitary travelers forever. If they venture too close to a star during their cosmic odyssey, the star’s gravity could capture these interstellar wanderers, incorporating them into new solar systems.
Amir Siraj focused on the likelihood of such a scenario occurring with our Sun. Starting with estimates of the number of rogue planets in the Milky Way and the percentage of stars likely to capture them, he conducted calculations to determine the chances of these planets passing close enough to the solar system to succumb to the Sun’s gravitational pull.
The results of Siraj’s calculations suggest that there is a significant probability of a hidden planet existing in the outer solar system, possessing a mass ranging from that of Mercury to Earth. These planets, if they do exist, could be detected with upcoming observatories, with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, slated to begin operations in 2025, being a potential candidate for such observations.
In his published paper in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Siraj emphasized the need for further research, including detailed simulations exploring the capture and retention of free-floating planets, their orbital characteristics, and additional observational tests for their existence. The possibility of discovering planets in our solar system that originated from alien star systems adds a new dimension to our understanding of the vastness and complexity of the cosmos.
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