Scientists are confident that previously unknown planets X and Y may exist and are only waiting for an opportune moment for their discovery.
According to scientists, at least two previously unknown planets, which are slightly larger than Earth, have been discovered, may be hiding beyond Pluto in our solar system. In order to come to this conclusion, scientists studied 13 extreme trans-Neptunian objects (ETNOs) in the vicinity of Pluto. These are celestial bodies a bit similar to dwarf planets. For such objects, the average distance to the Sun is greater than that of the planet Neptune (30 AU).
However, theory suggests that some trans-Neptunian objects may be located at a distance of 150 AU. from the Sun and have unpredictable orbital parameters.
"Our calculations show that there may be at least two planets lurking beyond Pluto," said Carlos de la Fuente Marcos of the University of Madrid.
Planets informally named X and Y may be located in the Kuiper belt above Pluto.
