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.
A study in The Astrophysical Journal Letters suggests that Mars-sized free-floating planets could exist in the Kuiper Belt, far beyond Pluto, potentially captured by the Sun's gravity. These rogue planets, possibly numbering in the billions or trillions galaxy-wide, could inform us about planetary system formation, habitability, and dynamical interactions with stars. Using computer simulations, the study indicates the possibility of a Mars or Mercury-sized body at a distance of 600 to 3,500 AU from the Sun. The research highlights the importance of understanding the capture process of rogue planets and suggests microlensing as a method for their detection.
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered over 500 dim, Jupiter-mass objects in the Orion nebula, blurring the line between planets and stars. These objects, some of which are pairs of worlds orbiting each other, challenge current theories of planet formation. The findings suggest that these "rogue" or "free-floating" planets could be ejected from their home systems in pairs, a process previously thought nearly impossible. This discovery opens up new questions about the formation of such objects and indicates that our galaxy may be filled with a vast number of untethered celestial bodies.
