The “Tenth Planet” Is Discovered

Astronomers have discovered a new member of our solar system.1 The object is estimated to be slightly larger than Pluto and is the most distant object in our solar system to be detected so far. NASA is calling this object the "tenth planet."3

With all the recent discoveries of planets orbiting other stars, it is exciting to find a new planet in our own solar system. The object (currently designated "2003 UB₃₁₃" until it is assigned a permanent name) was discovered by astronomers Michael E. Brown, Chad Trujillo, and David Rabinowitz. It lies at the incredible distance of 9 billion miles (14 billion km) from the sun, nearly one hundred times farther away than Earth is, and more than twice as distant as Pluto. It is estimated to be about 1,600 miles (2,600 km) in diameter.

Several years ago, astronomers began discovering a number of large, icy masses just beyond the orbit of Neptune. These are called "Trans-Neptunian Objects" (TNOs), or "Kuiper-Belt Objects" (KBOs).4 So far, these TNOs have all been smaller than Pluto which has a diameter of 1,400 miles (2,250 km). Like asteroids, TNOs are generally considered to be too small to be classified as a planet. But 2003 UB₃₁₃ is larger than Pluto, and thus Brown argues that it should be classified as a planet since Pluto is. However, many astronomers argue that even Pluto should not be classified as a planet, but rather as merely another KBO/TNO. The discovery of 2003 UB₃₁₃ is likely to revitalize this debate. In any case, the textbooks will have to be rewritten.

This new planet/TNO has a number of similarities with Pluto. Analysis of the composition of 2003 UB₃₁₃ shows the presence of methane ice. Pluto's composition also shows methane ice, but (other) TNOs do not. Like Pluto, 2003 UB₃₁₃ has a highly eccentric orbit-meaning it is very elliptical. 2003 UB₃₁₃ is currently near the most distant point (aphelion) of its elliptical orbit. At its closest approach to the sun (perihelion), it reaches a distance of 3.3 billion miles (5.4 billion km); this is greater than Neptune's distance, but less than Pluto's average distance from the sun. This means that 2003 UB₃₁₃ sometimes comes closer to the sun than Pluto, just as Pluto is sometimes closer than Neptune.

2003 UB₃₁₃ takes 557 years to orbit the sun once-the longest period of any known planet. Pluto had the previous record at 248.5 years. The orbit of 2003 UB₃₁₃ is also highly inclined; it is "tilted" 44 degrees relative to the other planets which orbit in nearly the same plane as the earth (the ecliptic). Pluto had the previous (planet) record with an inclination of 17 degrees. Such unusual orbital properties must seem a bit surprising to secular astronomers who believe the solar system collapsed from a cloud of gas and dust. In fact, the expectation that planets must lie in the ecliptic may explain why this "tenth planet" was not discovered previously; no one was looking there!

TNOs in general have been quite different from what secular astronomers were expecting.5 They are far more massive than the comet nuclei that were predicted to lie in the "Kuiper Belt." Of course, 2003 UB₃₁₃ sets the new record for TNO size, being almost as large as the moon. Moreover, a surprising number of TNOs are binary; they consist of two components that orbit each other as the pair orbits the sun.6

But such amazing worlds as the distant 2003 UB₃₁₃ are consistent with the creative power of God. The Lord made all these things for His pleasure.7 In fact, it wouldn't be surprising to a biblical creationist if more such objects with unusual orbits were discovered in the outskirts of the solar system. Discoveries such as this continue to support biblical creation and challenge secular scenarios for origins.