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You are here: Experts > Science > Space and Astronomy for Kids > Astronomy > Anomaly...
Expert: Philip Stahl - 10/17/2009
Question
Is there any public evidence(study,record)to support the continuing theory that there may be another object in our solar system on an elliptical orbit. I have heard all the more colorful myths surrounding the issue. While I may not believe the stories, I do believe, rather it makes sense to me that another object could be on an elliptical orbit in our solar system. It could explain a few questions about the planets history.
Answer
Hello,
The "Nibiru" stuff is all basically claptrap. At a Meeting of the AAS Dynamical Astronomy Division I attended in April of 2008, the subject briefly arose in one question period (during which evidence for exo-planets was presented) and shot down on the spot. (Note: "Nibiru" arose in a controversial book published in 1976, called "The Twelfth Planet", written by Zecharia Sitchin) There was no astrometric or dynamical evidence that such an object existed as per Sitchin's contentions, or ever did. Any peculiarities of orbital dynamics that may have emerged in planetary history don't need a "Niburu" to account for them.
Now, this is not to say that some hitherto undiscovered "Planet X" exterior to the orbit of Pluto could not exist. Indeed, in June last year, two Japanese astronomers - Patryk Lykawka and Tadashi Mukai of Kobe University, published a paper in The Astrophysical Journal detailing a planet-object at a distance of 100-200 AU from the Sun, and affecting the Kuiper Belt. The astronomers were quick to insist, however, this is not "Nibiru".
Hope this sheds some light on the issue.
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