Astronomers Identified Potential Ninth Planet Candidate
Researchers discovered an infrared source matching the expected profile of a distant, Neptune-sized celestial body.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Space
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Astronomers have flagged a candidate infrared source as a potential ninth planet within our solar system. The object was identified by comparing observational survey data spanning more than two decades.
Why it matters
The search for a hidden ninth planet aims to explain observed orbital anomalies in the outer solar system. Identifying such a body would fundamentally change our understanding of the solar system's architecture.
Researchers utilized infrared data from the IRAS and AKARI missions to identify sources that shifted 47.5 arcminutes over a 23-year period. The candidate displays characteristics of a Neptune-sized planet with an estimated orbit of 300 AU.
The players
Terry Long Phan
Terry Long Phan is the researcher who identified the candidate infrared source.
The details
Software algorithms compared historical infrared surveys to detect potential movement consistent with a distant planet. One specific candidate pair demonstrated a trajectory matching expectations, though current verification remains in the preliminary stages.
Timeline
The IRAS survey launched in 1983.
The AKARI survey mission launched in 2006.
The data represents a 23-year span between the two surveys.
The Big Picture
This discovery contributes to the broader search for Planet Nine, a hypothetical object proposed to explain orbital irregularities in the outer reaches of the solar system. The finding potentially bridges gaps between observational survey data and existing theoretical models of planetary formation.
Confirming the existence of a new planet would represent a major milestone in space science, potentially leading to new research regarding planetary migration. Future confirmation will rely on advanced infrared telescope arrays to verify if this object is indeed a true planet.
The takeaway
The candidate source remains unverified and requires rigorous follow-up observations to confirm its planetary status. Future surveys will likely use specialized infrared equipment to validate this finding against known celestial objects.
Further reading
For more information on current exploration, visit our Space section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The News International.
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