"Exploring the Potential Number of Planets Hidden in the Kuiper Belt"

1 min read
Source: Phys.org
"Exploring the Potential Number of Planets Hidden in the Kuiper Belt"
Photo: Phys.org
TL;DR Summary

A study by Amir Siraj suggests that Mars-sized free-floating planets could exist in the Kuiper Belt, far beyond Pluto, at distances ranging from 600 to 3,500 AU from the sun. These rogue planets, potentially billions in number throughout the Milky Way, could have been captured by our solar system's gravity. Siraj's research, involving 100 million simulations, indicates the possibility of terrestrial planets in the outer solar system, which could provide insights into the formation and habitability of exoplanets. The study emphasizes the need for further research on the capture process of rogue planets and suggests microlensing as a method for their detection.

Share this article

Reading Insights

Total Reads

0

Unique Readers

1

Time Saved

3 min

vs 4 min read

Condensed

86%

711102 words

Want the full story? Read the original article

Read on Phys.org