Can a revolutionary new telescope solve the mystery of planet nine?

Science Weekly

The Guardian

Science

4.2 • 938 Ratings

🗓️ 24 June 2025

⏱️ 18 minutes

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Summary

Ever since Pluto was demoted from planet to dwarf planet in 2006, astronomers have been wondering whether Neptune really is the most distant planet from the sun. Now, a new telescope could uncover what lies in the farthest reaches of the solar system. The Vera C Rubin Observatory released its first images this week, and soon the world’s most powerful digital camera will be pointing across the whole of the night sky. Scientists are hopeful that if planet nine exists, the telescope will find it within its first year of operation. Ian Sample is joined by Dr Scott Sheppard, an astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science, to find out how Pluto lost its planetary status, why scientists think there could be another super-Earth, and why planet nine has been so hard to find. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is The Guardian.
0:10.2	Finlay Christie here.
0:11.6	If you're looking for a coastal adventure,
0:13.8	you can't be a road trip around the island of Ireland.
0:17.6	Home to the Causeway coastal route and the Wild Atlantic Way, you can experience both
0:22.8	iconic journeys in one unforgettable trip. From traditional music sessions in historic pubs to crazy
0:30.0	adventures like C-Stat climbing, there's something for everyone. Explore everything Ireland has
0:36.1	to offer at the Guardian.com forward slash tourism
0:39.8	island. This message was paid for by Tourism Island. Have you heard the myth that Merlin
0:45.2	constructed Stonehenge, a monument that has stood for some 180 generations, or the tale of
0:51.8	of King Arthur being conceived at Cornwall's Tintagel Castle, or even how Dracula washed up on the shores by Whitby Abbey.
0:59.5	Across the country, there are legends to be unearthed on your visit to an English heritage site.
1:05.1	Plan your trip and save 15% on early bookings online.
1:09.0	Discover more at theguardian.com forward slash English Heritage.
1:13.3	This message was paid for by English Heritage.
1:21.3	Many of us will remember the sad day in 2006 when Pluto lost its planetary title.
1:29.3	For 76 years it was regarded as the ninth planet in our solar system.
1:34.3	But today, scientists have downgraded Pluto. It's just too small.
1:38.3	It left people shocked, infuriated, galled. How could we be revising our solar system in the 21st century?
1:47.8	I think it should not be downgraded because I like the planet a lot and it's one of my favourite planets.
1:56.5	But soon, it might happen again.
2:08.6	For years, astronomers have been carefully observing objects far beyond Neptune as they swing around the sun.
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