Ep 4. Pluto's Evil Twin

In season 7 episode 4 of NASA's Unexplained Files, titled "Pluto's Evil Twin," viewers are taken on a journey to explore the mysteries surrounding Pluto and its possible dark twin. The episode begins with some background on Pluto, considered by many to be the most mysterious planet in our solar system. Despite being classified as a "dwarf planet," Pluto has continued to captivate scientists and stargazers alike, and its recent flyby by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft in 2015 revealed remarkable detail about the dwarf planet's surface and geology.

However, as the episode delves deeper into the lore surrounding Pluto, viewers are introduced to a theory that suggests that Pluto may not be alone in its orbit. Some scientists believe that there may be a dark twin to Pluto, lurking beyond the orbit of Neptune. While the idea of a "Pluto's evil twin" may sound like science-fiction, the episode presents several compelling pieces of evidence that suggest that such a body could indeed exist.

One of the key pieces of evidence presented in the episode centers around the odd orbits of several objects in the Kuiper Belt -- a vast region beyond Neptune that is home to many dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets. Many of these objects have orbits that are atypical, with some tracing elongated, elliptical paths that seem to defy the traditional laws of gravity. While some scientists have attributed these anomalies to the gravitational influence of Neptune, others believe that a much larger, unseen object could be responsible. Could this object be Pluto's dark twin?

The episode also explores some of the unusual features seen on Pluto's surface that could suggest the presence of another body in its orbit. For instance, some areas of Pluto's surface seem to be much younger than others, which doesn't match up with what we know about how the dwarf planet was formed. Some scientists believe that these younger areas could have been caused by the gravitational tug of a much larger object in Pluto's orbit. Additionally, there are several mysterious structures on Pluto's surface that seem to be aligned in a way that suggests they were formed by the influence of another planet.

As the episode delves further into the idea of a dark twin to Pluto, viewers are treated to a range of fascinating theories and possible scenarios. For instance, some scientists believe that the existence of a large, unseen planet could help explain some of the observed anomalies in the orbits of other objects in the Kuiper Belt, while others believe that such a planet could be responsible for the extinction-level events that have occurred throughout Earth's history. Some even speculate that the hypothetical planet could have once been a satellite of Jupiter, which was somehow ejected from the gas giant's orbit and sent hurtling towards our inner solar system.

Overall, "Pluto's Evil Twin" is a thought-provoking and engrossing episode that will leave viewers wondering about the mysteries of our solar system and the many secrets that may still be hiding in the vastness of space. Whether you're a die-hard science buff or simply enjoy speculating about the unknown, this episode is sure to provide plenty of fascinating insights and eye-opening ideas.