Solar system has a new most-distant member

The red green and blue dots represent the location of 2012 VP113
The Gemini Observatory has reported that they found a very far and distant Dwarf Planet. They named it 2012 VP113. This planet was found at the very edge of our solar system. This is most likely one of several thousands objects in deep space that form the Oort cloud. Researchers from the Gemini Observatory believe that this might bring proof that there is an even bigger planet out there influencing the orbit of 2012 VP113. It is thought to be ten time the size of Earth. The solar system is divided into three parts; the rocky planets, the gas planets, and the frozen objects. Sedna, which is categorized under the frozen objects was thought to be the farthest planet in our solar system, but 2012 VP113 is much further than Sedna.
The discovery of 2012 VP113 proves that Sedna was not something special. Instead, it might be part of several other planets that were formed by comets. The closest orbit to the sun of 2012 VP113 is 80 times the distance of the Earth to the Sun. Scott Sheppard believes that scientist should continue to search for planets like Sedna and 2012 VP113 because they can help us know more about the history of our solar system.Sedna and 2012 VP113 were found at their closest orbit to the Sun. If they were any farther it would be much more difficult to find them because the Sun's light wouldn't be able to reach them at a very long distance. Their AU's are in the hundreds range, while the rocky planets are within the first 5 AU.

Sources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326153725.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2012_VP113_discovery_image.jpg

Posted by Unknown | at 10:49 AM

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