NASA's Unexplained Files Season 4 Episode 7 Mysterious Invisible Planet

In episode 7 of season 4 of NASA's Unexplained Files, titled "Mysterious Invisible Planet," the show delves into the discovery of a strange planet lurking outside our solar system.

Scientists have never actually seen the planet; instead, its existence is inferred based on the gravitational pull it exerts on other nearby objects. This mysterious unseen planet has been dubbed "Planet Nine" and astronomers believe that it is located at the edge of our solar system, beyond the orbit of Pluto.

The episode discusses how it all started with the discovery of some strange features in the orbits of distant objects in the Kuiper Belt, a region beyond Neptune where comets and asteroids reside. These objects, known as "trans-Neptunian objects," seemed to be behaving in unexpected ways, as if they were being influenced by an invisible and massive object.

Initially, some scientists dismissed the idea of an unseen planet as farfetched, but as more evidence piled up, they began to take the idea more seriously. The show explores the different theories proposed to explain the strange orbits of these objects and how they all point to the existence of an unseen planet.

One hypothesis is that the planet was formed in our solar system, but was flung out into the far reaches of space by the gravity of Jupiter or Saturn. Another theory suggests that the planet might be a rogue planet that was captured by our solar system at some point in the past.

The episode also explores the efforts by astronomers to locate the elusive Planet Nine. The planet is believed to be quite large, perhaps ten times the mass of Earth, but it is also very distant and faint, making it extremely difficult to detect with telescopes. Scientists have been using mathematical models to predict the planet's orbit and narrow down the search area, but so far, no one has been able to actually observe it.

Despite the lack of direct observation, the idea of Planet Nine has captured the imagination of the public and scientists alike. The show discusses how finding the planet would not only further our understanding of our own solar system, but it could also shed light on how planets form and evolve in other star systems.

The episode also touches on the possibility that there may be other unseen planets lurking in our solar system. Some scientists believe that Planet Nine may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these hidden objects. With new telescopes and technological advancements, there is hope that we may one day solve the mystery of these invisible planets and gain a greater understanding of the universe around us.

Overall, "Mysterious Invisible Planet" is a fascinating episode that combines cutting-edge science and intriguing speculation to explore one of the biggest mysteries in our solar system. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in space exploration and the quest to uncover the secrets of the universe.