Does Planet 9 Exist?

A planet has been predicted to orbit the sun with a period of 10,000 years, a mass 5x that of Earth on a highly elliptical and inclined orbit. What evidence supports the existence of such a strange object at the edge of our solar system?

Huge thanks to:
Prof. Konstantin Batygin, Caltech
Prof. David Jewitt, UCLA

I had heard about Planet 9 for a long time but I wondered what sort of evidence could support the bold claim: a planet at the very limits of our ability to detect one, so far out that its period is over 60 times that of Neptune. The planet 9 hypothesis helps explain clustering of orbits of distant Kuiper belt objects. It also explains how some of these objects have highly inclined orbits - up to 90 degrees relative to the plane of the solar system. Some are orbiting in reverse. Plus their orbits are removed from the orbit of Neptune, the logical option for a body that could have ejected them out so far. The fact that the perihelion is so far out suggests another source of gravity was essential for their peculiar orbits.

Special Thanks to Patreon Supporters:
Alfred Wallace, Arjun Chakroborty, Bryan Baker, Chris Vargas, Chuck Lauer Vose, DALE HORNE, Donal Botkin, Eric Velazquez, halyoav, James Knight, Jasper Xin, Joar Wandborg, Kevin Beavers, kkm, Leah Howard, Lyvann Ferrusca, Michael Krugman, Mohammed Al Sahaf, Noel Braganza, Pindex, Ron Neal, Sam Lutfi, Stan Presolski, Tige Thorman

[ancbi]

Can we take a moment to appriciate how much better the video has become by interviewing 2 experts with opposing views instead of just one of them?

[gxmusic]

“Who found the Kuiper belt?”
“I did”

Awesome answer.

[FriedFreya]

*“I found the Kuiper Belt.”* Well earned flex, wish I had achievements like that!

[andreylevichev]

After binge watching the episodes from Veritasium today, I would call this the best one. Not because of the topic discussed. I really liked the idea of two scientists arguing their points of view. Optimistic vs skeptical. It really highlights how science is made. Please make more videos like this one.

[Thorisotto]

This is the kind of content I love about Veritasium: access to brilliant people, look behind the scenes and wonderful, in depth interviews! Thank you!

[nahuelagustinprietogalardo]

I like how clearly this video shows the enthusiasm in the younger person and the wisdom and caution in the older. They are a powerful combination.

[xFirebirdx]

"So who found the Kuiper Belt?"
"I did. You know that."

o__o

[arkzbh]

One of the best videos on Veritasium. No prejudice, no taking sides, no trying to explain stuffs by Derek, just asking the right questions to 2 different people having completely different theories. Brilliant.

[whatdamath]

You brought the proponent and the opponent of the hypothesis, but made sure the opponent was given coffee to be less cranky. Brilliant!

[markmiller]

Imagine having that on your CV. “ I found the Kuiper Belt”

[Matio]

"Can I go to the bathroom?"
"That's a great question"

[equilibrium_]

The two scientists that were interviewed are the yin and yang sides of science:

The curiosity and sheer will to learn and discover & The discipline of evidence and logic based verification of the truth of something.

[Joseph_S_Clark]

There is nothing cooler than saying “yeah I found the Kuiper belt”

[MarMar-]

“If you’re that sure, find it” such a scientist way of putting it

[Max_Matrix]

Derek: "So who's responsible for finding the Kuiper Belt?"
Prof. Jewitt: *Well of course I know him. He's me.*

[mr.navigator]

"Who discovered the Kuiper Belt?"
"I did"
*flex intensifies*

[TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

"Who's responsible for finding the Kuiper Belt?"

Scientist: "I found the Kuiper Belt"

The way he said it so nonchalantly was kinda badass actually

[oobanoobaisterrible]

Can we call it planet ten to confuse people the same way Microsoft/apple did

[spleefgreif]

my headcanon is that the two experts aren't on speaking terms with each other so they wanted to use you as a go-between for their spat

[hypehuman]

The visualization at 5:12 - 5:16 is so helpful; I'd never seen that before. The rotation and the zoom-out really give a good sense of the relative scales.