Chances of 'Planet X' having alien life as scientists think they've discovered a new planet in our solar system
It's common knowledge that there are eight planets in our solar system. Or are there? Astronomers are starting to think that there might be a ninth planet tucked away, right on the edge of our solar system.
The suspected ninth planet, known as Planet Nine, or as NASA calls is, Planet X, has been discussed as a possibility now since way back in 2016.
The ninth planet in our solar system was first brought up as a possibility when two astronomers from the California Institute of Technology found evidence of a gravitational force, large enough to be a planet, beyond Neptune.
Advert
For anyone that's a little confused, and thinking, but what about Pluto? While Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, it was stripped of its planetary status back in 2006 and is now considered a dwarf-planet.
With astronomers hot on the heels of Planet X, it might not be too long before our solar system jumps back up to having nine planets, again.
While the study was focusing on 13 potential planets, it has now been reduced down to just one.
A single entity that astronomers believe might be our Planet X, and could even potentially have signs of life.
But, before you grab your coat and prepare for a trip to visit this new alien planet, just make sure you're prepared for a trip to a planet that is approximately 46.5 billion to 65.1 billion miles away, it might take a while.
Speaking of grabbing your coat, the planet is so far from the sun, most scientists believe it would be an ice giant with temperatures estimated to be as cold as -409°F (-245°C). Essentially making a trip to the Antarctica feel like a holiday in the Bahamas in comparison.
Not only would Planet X be too cold to support a huge variety of life, it would also be too far from the sun to supply enough energy for many lifeforms to exist.
Under these extreme conditions, scientists believe the planet would only be able to support life known as extremophile, microbes which are able to survive even in the most harsh environments.
When talking about Planet Nine, or Planet X, NASA said: "It could also make our solar system seem a little more 'normal'."
What they're talking about here is that the most common types of planets in our galaxy are super Earths - bigger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. Planet X would fall under this category.
It also explains why the Kuiper Belt is tilted by about 20 degrees. With Planet Nine/Planet X gravity pulling on these objects, it would make sense that it would impact their obit, making the entire ice belt fall out of line with other planets orbiting the sun.
Kegan Marquez