- Jan 29, 2020
- 82
- 36
- 10,560
The anomalous clustering of the orbits of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) in the context of the Planet 9 hypothesis can be explained by its comet-like orbit with an aphelion of ~500 AU and a semi-major axis of ~250 AU.
Passing through the Kuiper Belt, Planet 9 chaotically interacts with TNOs, leading to alignment, anti-alignment, and dispersal and a decrease in the period of their orbits. But at the same time, alignment creates a closer interaction, which ultimately accelerates dispersal.
Thus, TNOs whose arguments of perihelion as a result of dispersal are grouped in a region at ~180° opposite to Planet 9 have more stable orbits due to a shorter interaction time. And the most stable orbits of TNOs are those located closer to its perihelion, reaching the region of the planets of the Solar System.
This is confirmed by improvised computer modeling in Space Flight Simulator. Unfortunately, it is impossible to see all the orbits at once, but some stages of evolution are screened separately. Initially, TNOs are given arbitrary circular orbits, then they become elliptical and disperse. Due to the limitations of the model, the dispersed objects exceed the escape velocity, but under certain conditions this would lead to the appearance of very elongated orbits.
View: https://youtu.be/rLZtRLFW0bA?si=5bwgVAr78rdKI_3e
Based on observations, it was assumed that the period of Planet 9 does not exceed the minimum for extreme TNOs of 4274 (2012 VP113), which can be formed as a result of alignment or anti-alignment.
In the image, the orbits of the NTOs are lined up in the plane of the ecliptic coordinate system. For Planet 9, the perihelion longitude is set at 146°, in accordance with the maximum value of 138+-8° (anti-alignment with the common argument of perihelion for clusters of 318+-8°) in the hypothesis of M. Brown and K. Batygin. This ensures the overlap of all orbits.
Such a comet-like orbit is explained by the fact that Planet 9 may be a rogue planet, attracted by the Solar System in the distant past and influencin
g its evolution.
Passing through the Kuiper Belt, Planet 9 chaotically interacts with TNOs, leading to alignment, anti-alignment, and dispersal and a decrease in the period of their orbits. But at the same time, alignment creates a closer interaction, which ultimately accelerates dispersal.
Thus, TNOs whose arguments of perihelion as a result of dispersal are grouped in a region at ~180° opposite to Planet 9 have more stable orbits due to a shorter interaction time. And the most stable orbits of TNOs are those located closer to its perihelion, reaching the region of the planets of the Solar System.
This is confirmed by improvised computer modeling in Space Flight Simulator. Unfortunately, it is impossible to see all the orbits at once, but some stages of evolution are screened separately. Initially, TNOs are given arbitrary circular orbits, then they become elliptical and disperse. Due to the limitations of the model, the dispersed objects exceed the escape velocity, but under certain conditions this would lead to the appearance of very elongated orbits.
Based on observations, it was assumed that the period of Planet 9 does not exceed the minimum for extreme TNOs of 4274 (2012 VP113), which can be formed as a result of alignment or anti-alignment.
In the image, the orbits of the NTOs are lined up in the plane of the ecliptic coordinate system. For Planet 9, the perihelion longitude is set at 146°, in accordance with the maximum value of 138+-8° (anti-alignment with the common argument of perihelion for clusters of 318+-8°) in the hypothesis of M. Brown and K. Batygin. This ensures the overlap of all orbits.
Such a comet-like orbit is explained by the fact that Planet 9 may be a rogue planet, attracted by the Solar System in the distant past and influencin
g its evolution.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram