Planet 9 from Outer Space

The video discusses the potential existence of a ninth planet in our solar system, based on peculiar orbits of objects in the Kuiper Belt. Researchers from Caltech propose that a planet, ten times the mass of Earth, could explain these orbits. The video outlines the challenges in directly observing this planet due to its distance and dimness, and suggests testing the hypothesis by finding mirror-image asteroids. This method mirrors how Neptune was discovered in the 1840s. The video concludes with a call to support Scishow and subscribe for updates.

What is the main reason astronomers believe there might be a ninth planet in our solar system?

• The presence of a large asteroid belt

• The unusual behavior of Pluto

• The alignment of orbits in the Kuiper Belt

• The discovery of new moons around Neptune

What was one of the problems with previous predictions about the ninth planet?

• They suggested the planet was inside the asteroid belt

• They predicted the planet was made entirely of gas

• They required a close encounter with another star

• They indicated the planet was closer to the Sun than Earth

According to the Caltech team's hypothesis, what characteristic does the ninth planet have?

• It is smaller than Earth

• It has a circular orbit

• It has a tilted orbit

• It is closer to the Sun than Mars

How do astronomers plan to test for the existence of the ninth planet without directly observing it?

• By analyzing the light from nearby galaxies

• By sending a probe to the Kuiper Belt

• By finding asteroids with mirrored orbits

• By measuring the temperature of distant stars

What historical discovery is the search for the ninth planet compared to?

• The first sighting of Halley's Comet

• The discovery of Neptune

• The identification of the asteroid belt

• The discovery of Pluto