Finding Pluto’s Potential Replacement with a Giant New Telescope

This interview-style podcast discusses the hypothetical Planet Nine in our solar system. The conversation begins by clarifying the difference between Planet Nine and Pluto's demotion, explaining the IAU's planetary definition and the unusual orbits of trans-Neptunian objects that suggest a large, unseen planet's gravitational influence. The discussion then shifts to the Vera Rubin Observatory, a new telescope expected to provide crucial data to either confirm or refute Planet Nine's existence by mapping the outer solar system and identifying more trans-Neptunian objects. Finally, the interview touches upon other potential explanations for the unusual orbits, including rogue planets or black holes, and the broader implications of the Rubin Observatory for astronomy, such as asteroid detection and dark matter research. The existence of Planet Nine remains unconfirmed, but the Rubin Observatory's data will significantly advance our understanding of the outer solar system.