|
|
Planet Found Just Outside Pluto...12/19/01
by Mitch Battros (ECTV)
New object deemed largest minor planet named '2001 KX76'. This new minor planet
is estimated to measure between 1,200 and 1,400 kilometers (745 and 870
miles) in diameter.
This recently found mystery planet is half the size of Pluto and slightly
larger than Pluto's moon Charon. It orbits the sun in a ring of primordial
comets beyond the planets known as the Kuiper Belt.
Pluto, while officially classified a planet, is now considered by many
astronomers as a Kuiper Belt Object, as is Charon. Hundreds of Kuiper Belt
Objects have been discovered. Astronomers theorize that tens of thousands
more lurk in the dark recesses of the solar system, some perhaps rivaling
Pluto in size. "There have been many predictions about bigger Kuiper
Belt Objects. Now we are starting to see them. I think we are going to start
seeing many more big ones out there," said Richard West, an astronomer
with the European Southern Observatory, which established the size of the new
object, known as 2001 KX76. Kuiper Belt Objects, among the most primitive
objects known, are thought to be pristine relics of the formation of the
solar system. The object, which has an elliptical orbit much like Pluto, is
about 6.45 billion kilometers (4 billion miles) from the sun, or 43 times the
distance between the Earth and sun. I have no doubt information will continue
to seep out with many astronomers around the world keeping a keen eye on our
furthest planet. Although this most likely is not the much anticipated
'Planet-X', this finding gives great credibility to the not yet discovered;
or some would say not yet publicly disclosed, 'Planet-X'. Stay tuned!
|
|