Japanese astronomers have found a mysterious object far beyond Pluto, potentially reshaping theories about Planet Nine, a hypothetical planet thought to exist in our solar system. Dubbed "Ammonite," this unusual object is roughly 300 kilometers across and orbits incredibly far out – over 200 times the distance between Earth and the Sun.
Scientists describe Ammonite as "fossil-like," suggesting it may be a remnant from the early solar system. Its elongated orbit and peculiar characteristics challenge existing models and could force a re-evaluation of how our solar system formed.
The discovery, announced this week, is significant because it demonstrates the vastness and unexpected nature of the outer solar system. Sedna-like objects, like Ammonite, have highly eccentric orbits, meaning they are very elliptical. Further study of Ammonite promises to reveal more about the distant reaches of our cosmic neighborhood.
