Astronomers have discovered a possible ninth planet in the solar system. The new planet, dubbed "Planet 9," could be located very far from the Sun and complete one full orbit in 10,000–20,000 Earth years.

EDnews reports that the planet is comparable in size to Neptune, but 20–30 times farther from the Sun.

The results of the study were published in the journal Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia. It has not yet undergone independent scientific examination. The main evidence for the existence of the planet is its influence on objects in the Kuiper belt, a region beyond Neptune's orbit where many small celestial bodies are collected.

If this planet really exists, this could explain the unusual orbits of some objects. According to astronomers, its gravity could be the reason why some objects in the Kuiper belt move in the opposite direction to the rest of the solar system.

Scientists have detected glowing objects using infrared observations taken between 1983 and 2006. These objects could be distant, slow-moving planets.

If Planet 9 is confirmed, it could officially replace Pluto, which was demoted to the dwarf planet category by the International Astronomical Union in 2006.

Madina Mammadova\\EDnews