Planet Nine of Solar System? Scientists Discover Possible New Dwarf Planet Beyond Neptune [Read More]

Scientists have discovered a possible new dwarf planet at the edge of our solar system, so far-flung that it takes around 25,000 years to complete one cycle around the sun.
The researchers at the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University who were searching for "Planet Nine", discovered this object, known as 2017 OF201,
For the unversed, "Planet Nine" is a hypothetical planet which is reportedly larger than Earth that is thought to orbit beyond Neptune. Some astronomers theorize that a mysterious ninth planet, which so far remains undetected, could explain an unusual clustering of objects and other anomalies observed in the outer solar system.
While the researchers were busy searching for the elusive Planet Nine, they came across this new resident in our cosmic backyard.
"Extreme Cousin" To Pluto
Sihao Cheng, a member at the Institute for Advanced Study who led the research team, said, "It's not very different from how Pluto was discovered," adding, "This project was really an adventure."
If confirmed, Cheng describes the newly discovered dwarf planet as a "extreme cousin" to Pluto. The results were published on the preprint website arXiv but have not yet been peer-reviewed.
Cheng and his colleagues believe that 2017 OF201 is around 435 miles across, far smaller than Pluto, which is nearly 1,500 miles across.
A dwarf planet is a celestial entity that orbits the sun and has enough mass and gravity to be mostly spherical, but unlike other planets, its orbital path is not free of asteroids and other debris.
Eritas Yang, one of the study's co-authors and a PhD student at Princeton University, stated that one of the most intriguing aspects of 2017 OF201 is its extraordinarily elongated orbit. At its farthest point from the sun, the object is more than 1,600 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.
The dwarf planet candidate was discovered after methodically filtering through a massive data set collected by a Chilean telescope probing the universe for hints of dark energy. By combining data over time, the researchers found a moving item with predictable movements.
2017 OF201 is likely one of the most distant visible objects in the solar system, however, its discovery suggests that there could be other dwarf planets populating that region of space.
"It Was Just Hidden There"
"We were using public data that has been there for a long time," said Jiaxuan Li, a study co-author and a graduate student at Princeton University. "It was just hidden there."
According to Li, the object is currently near to the sun, so the researchers will need to wait approximately a month before conducting follow-up investigations with ground-based telescopes. The scientists are also hoping to someday get some time to explore the object using the Hubble Space Telescope or the James Webb Space Telescope.
Meanwhile, Cheng has stated that he will continue his quest for Planet Nine. The latest discovery, however, may put a kink in certain long-held hypotheses about the planet's existence.
Planet Nine's concept is that a planet several times the size of Earth in the outer solar system could explain why a collection of icy objects appear to be in unusually close orbits.
"Under the influence of Planet Nine, all objects that do not have this specific orbital geometry will eventually become unstable and get kicked out of the solar system," according to Yang.
2017 OF201's elongated orbit distinguishes it from the clustered objects, but Yang's calculations indicate that its orbit should remain stable over the next billion years.
In other words, if Planet Nine exists, 2017 OF201 will most likely be unable to remain. However, Yang stated that further investigation is needed, and that the finding of a new dwarf planet candidate does not necessarily spell the end of Planet Nine.
For starters, the simulations only used one location for Planet Nine, although experts disagree on where the imaginary planet lurks – if it exists at all.
Konstantin Batygin, a planetary science professor at the California Institute of Technology, hypothesized the existence of Planet Nine in a 2016 article co-authored with his Caltech colleague Mike Brown.
Object In Chaotic Orbit?
He stated that the discovery of 2017 OF201 does neither prove nor contradict the notion. According to Batygin, the objects in the outer solar system that are most likely to leave a footprint of Planet Nine's gravity are those with the closest points on their orbits around the sun that are still far enough away from Neptune to not interact strongly.
"This one, unfortunately, does not fall into that category," Batygin told NBC. "This object is in a chaotic orbit, so when it comes to the question, 'What does it truly imply for Planet Nine?' The answer isn't much, because things are chaotic."
Batygin said he was excited to see the new study because it adds more context to how objects came to be in the outer solar system, and he called the researchers' efforts mining public data sets "heroic."
Cheng, for his part, said he hasn't abandoned hope of finding Planet Nine.
"This whole project started as a search for Planet Nine, and I'm still in that mode," he said. "But this is an interesting story for scientific discovery. Who knows if Planet Nine exists, but it can be interesting if you're willing to take some risks."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily News Egypt

4 minutes ago

• Daily News Egypt

MSMEDA injects EGP 17.4bn into 900k women-led enterprises over past decade: CEO

Bassel Rahmy, CEO of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), announced that the agency has allocated EGP 17.4bn over the past 10 years to support women-led micro and small enterprises across Egypt. This funding has empowered around 900,000 projects and contributed to the creation of approximately 1.2 million job opportunities. Rahmy highlighted that 54% of the total funding—equivalent to EGP 9.4 billion—was channelled into projects located in Upper Egypt, border governorates, and other underserved areas most in need of development. He emphasised the agency's determination to double this financing in the coming period, in line with government efforts to enhance women's economic participation and unlock their potential as drivers of national growth. The announcement was made during the 'Women in SMEs' Conference, organised by the Women Entrepreneurs Club under the patronage of MSMEDA. The event gathered representatives from leading financial institutions, entrepreneurship support organisations, ambassadors, and distinguished female leaders from across various economic sectors. In his remarks, Rahmy reiterated MSMEDA's commitment to working in close coordination with government bodies, civil society organisations, and development partners to further empower women economically. He stressed the importance of supporting women not only in launching new enterprises, but also in expanding and developing existing ones across industrial and service-based sectors. This approach, he noted, aims to cultivate a new generation of pioneering women entrepreneurs who can contribute meaningfully to Egypt's economic transformation. Rahmy also underlined the significance of the agency's participation in such conferences, as they serve as platforms to exchange expertise, share successful models, and align with international best practices—particularly in relation to the SME sector and women's empowerment. These efforts, he said, are central to Egypt's development agenda and are fully aligned with Egypt Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. During the event, Rahmy presented the full range of services MSMEDA offers to support entrepreneurs, including both financial and non-financial assistance. He noted the agency's ongoing efforts to expand the accessibility of its services across the country, especially for women and young people, by leveraging digital transformation tools and platforms. Mona Mourad, Founder and CEO of the Women Entrepreneurs Club, affirmed the Club's commitment to enhancing the capabilities of Egyptian women and enabling them to take the lead in medium and large-scale enterprises. She pointed to the conference's collaboration with the American University in Cairo's Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Alcatel-Lucent as a prime example of how public-private-academic partnerships can accelerate women's leadership in digital transformation and institutional growth. Mourad commended MSMEDA for its pivotal role in building the capacities of women across various economic activities, particularly by supporting productive, sustainable projects. She added that the agency's presence at the event reflects the growing synergy between state institutions and development actors, both local and international, in creating a thriving ecosystem for female entrepreneurship. In recognition of their success, Rahmy honoured several women who have built notable businesses with MSMEDA's support. Among them was Yasmin El-Sweifi, who owns a thriving restaurant chain in Cairo; Mona Sami, who founded a business producing educational and interactive toys; and Sherine Saleh, who established a manufacturing project for medical and cosmetic supplies. Their achievements, Rahmy said, are a testament to the transformative impact of targeted support and inclusive development policies.

Daily News Egypt

4 minutes ago

• Daily News Egypt

The Role of Crisis Management Committees in Responding to Global Shocks: A Central Pillar for National Stability

As geopolitical tensions intensify and the world grapples with overlapping crises, the need for robust and agile crisis management frameworks has never been greater. These crises—whether political, economic, environmental, or military—often have profound repercussions that reverberate far beyond their points of origin, threatening national security, economic resilience, and social cohesion. Crisis management committees serve as a frontline defence, coordinating resources, streamlining decision-making, and ensuring institutional coherence in times of uncertainty. Their importance becomes especially pronounced during periods of regional or global escalation, when swift, informed action can mean the difference between containment and chaos. Forming such committees has become an essential component of statecraft, aimed at assessing risk, preparing for contingencies, and executing rapid-response strategies. These bodies are typically empowered with wide-ranging authority, allowing them to act without bureaucratic delay. While some are convened for specific emergencies and disbanded once the threat subsides, others operate permanently—continuously monitoring risk landscapes, developing response protocols, and running stress tests to gauge national readiness. Models of Crisis Committees: Proactive vs. Reactive Countries typically adopt a hybrid model, combining two core approaches: Proactive Committees: These focus on foresight, risk mapping, and preventive planning, aiming to avert crises before they emerge. Reactive Committees: These are mobilised to deal with fast-unfolding events, executing decisive actions to limit damage and restore stability. Global Best Practices Several international experiences underscore the value of institutionalised crisis management: Japan: The National Emergency Committee is globally respected for its meticulous disaster preparedness, particularly for natural events like earthquakes and tsunamis. During the 2011 earthquake, its rapid coordination and pre-existing plans helped contain the disaster's impact. United States: FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is one of the most powerful emergency response institutions in the world. With wide-ranging authority, it leads national efforts to respond to hurricanes, pandemics, and other large-scale emergencies. India: The National Disaster Management Authority, created in 2005, is a comprehensive body that manages both natural and man-made disasters. It focuses on long-term planning, stakeholder coordination, and swift response to protect vulnerable populations. Egypt's Experience: Pre-Emptive Strategy in Action Egypt has taken notable steps to institutionalise crisis response mechanisms, particularly in response to mounting regional instability. In a forward-looking move, the government recently established a Supreme Crisis Management Committee to monitor the potential fallout from the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Significantly, this committee has a proactive mandate, aiming to assess possible economic consequences before they materialise. Government officials have stressed that Egypt currently faces no direct threat to its domestic market or national security. Nonetheless, the committee—chaired by the Prime Minister—will meet regularly to evaluate developments, safeguard macroeconomic stability, and shield the country's ongoing reform programme from external shocks. It will also work in close coordination with advisory councils, sovereign entities, economic experts, and national security institutions, including the armed forces and police. By integrating both public and private sector input, the committee represents a whole-of-government approach to risk management. Egypt's Crisis Management Committee is poised to become a cornerstone of the country's national resilience architecture. In an increasingly unpredictable world, the ability to respond swiftly, strategically, and collectively is no longer optional—it is foundational. With foresight and coordinated action, such committees can transform crises from existential threats into manageable challenges. Mohamed Abdel Aal – Banking expert

Daily News Egypt

4 minutes ago

• Daily News Egypt

Egypt's Finance Ministry Honours Talaat Moustafa Group for Tax System Support

Egypt's Ministry of Finance has honoured Talaat Moustafa Group, the National Bank of Egypt, and Banque Misr for their role in supporting the government's efforts to modernise the country's tax system. The recognition was presented at the 'Shukran' (Thank You) conference, an event organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Egyptian Tax Authority. The honours were linked to a recent package of tax incentives introduced by the ministry and were awarded for contributions to promoting transparency, partnership, and trust between the state and taxpayers. The conference was attended by senior state officials and executive leaders from the public and private sectors. Dr Tarek El-Naggar, Executive Vice President of the Financial Sector at Talaat Moustafa Group, accepted the certificate of appreciation on behalf of the group's CEO, Hisham Talaat Moustafa. In a speech at the ceremony, El-Naggar said the honour would serve as motivation to continue the group's support for the state's economic reform efforts. 'We are delighted to receive this honour, which reflects our deep commitment to our national responsibility concerning taxes—a duty we fulfill with the utmost dedication,' he stated. El-Naggar affirmed that the stability and clarity of tax policies are among the most prominent factors in attracting investment, stressing that both local and foreign investors consider the tax system a fundamental criterion when making investment decisions. He also commented on the relationship between the government and the private sector, stating it has undergone a significant positive transformation in recent years. He added that there is now a clear appreciation from the state for the developmental role played by investors, which fosters a climate of trust and encourages support for the national economy. To support this point, El-Naggar highlighted Egypt's improved ranking in a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which placed the country first in Africa and ninth globally for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). According to El-Naggar, the modernisation of the tax system was a significant contributor to this result.