space

[Yoused]

It seems that we have a possible candidate for the ninth planet, which was maybe identified in old IRAS and AKARI infrared survey images.

They estimate that it probably has a mass similar to Neptune and an elliptical orbit that ranges from 280AU to 1120AU. Which is pretty weird. At at least 9 times as far out as Neptune, that puts it well outside the heliopause (where the solar wind peters out), well into the interstellar medium. This means it would probably mostly be an enormous chunk of frozen stuff.



Meanwhile here is one of the most awesome space images I have seen

That is the moon Daphnis playing with Saturn's rings – or maybe it is a really heavy DeathStar.

 

[japanime]

Thanks for sharing the story link, as well as that incredible image. I'm an astronomy buff, and am constantly checking the weather forecast for clear night skies so I can go out and observe. Unfortunately, I live in a Bortle 9 region, so my observations are limited mostly to the moon, planets, and double stars. It is, despite the weather and light-pollution challenges, a very relaxing and mind-clearing hobby.

Also, I'll go on the record as one of the stubborn few (many?) who still insist Pluto is a planet.

 

[Herdfan]

Also, I'll go on the record as one of the stubborn few (many?) who still insist Pluto is a planet.

Agree. Since I was in school, we lost a planet, but gained an ocean.

And I am posting this less than 5 miles from the Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered.