Astronomers Identify Potential Planet Nine Candidate Beyond Neptune

A team of international astronomers has identified a promising candidate for the elusive Planet Nine, using data from two far-infrared space surveys conducted 23 years apart. By comparing the positions of objects in the IRAS and AKARI datasets, researchers found 13 candidate pairs, with one showing movement and characteristics consistent with predictions for Planet Nine—a massive planet hypothesized to explain unusual orbital patterns in the Kuiper Belt. However, the evidence so far is limited to faint infrared dots, and the precise orbit cannot be determined without additional observations. Some experts, such as Mike Brown, who originally proposed the Planet Nine hypothesis, remain skeptical, noting that the candidate's orbit appears inconsistent with the predicted tilt and direction for Planet Nine. The discovery has sparked both excitement and debate within the scientific community, highlighting the need for follow-up studies using advanced telescopes. Confirmation of Planet Nine's existence would have major implications for our understanding of the solar system's evolution and structure.