Investigating the Orbit of a Potential 'Planet X' in the Outer Solar System

Siraj and colleagues explore the possibility of a hidden "Planet X" in the outer Solar System by analyzing clustering patterns in the orbits of distant trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). They find statistically significant clustering that may indicate the gravitational influence of an unseen planet with around 4.4 Earth masses, located approximately 290 AU from the Sun. Their simulations suggest that this hypothetical planet could be detected by future surveys, especially the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which could confirm the existence of Planet X.