New planet discovered in solar system
Exciting news!
On January 26, 2023, astronomers announced the discovery of a new planet in our solar system, which has been named "Farout" (short for Farthest Out). This new planet is the most distant known object in our solar system, with an average distance from the Sun of about 120 astronomical units (AU). One astronomical unit is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun.
Here are some key facts about Farout:
- Orbital period: Farout takes about 700 years to complete one orbit around the Sun, making it one of the slowest-moving objects in our solar system.
- Size: Farout is estimated to be about 250 miles (400 kilometers) in diameter, which is relatively small compared to other planets in our solar system.
- Composition: Scientists believe that Farout is likely a dwarf planet, composed primarily of rock and ice.
- Discovery: Farout was discovered by a team of astronomers using the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii, who were searching for distant objects in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies beyond Neptune.
- Name: The name "Farout" was chosen because it is the most distant known object in our solar system, and it also has a playful tone to it.
This discovery is significant because it provides new insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system. The existence of Farout and other distant objects in the Kuiper Belt suggests that there may be many more undiscovered planets and other celestial bodies waiting to be found.
What do you think about this exciting discovery?