Mysterious interstellar object may have changed four paths of four planets, the study finds

An unidentified heavenly object, estimated in eight times the mass of JupiterIt may have significantly altered the orbits of four external planets in the solar system. Reports suggest that this planetary size body has entered the solar system Billions of years ago, notably near the sun – since it is now the orbit of Mars. It is believed that the event has modified the trajectories of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, contributing to its current orbital standards. Scientists have long discussed irregularities in the paths of these planets, and this theory has a potential explanation.

The study simulates the interstellar flight

According to the to study Published in the Arxiv Pre -Impression Database, a research team led by Planetary Scientist Renu Malhotra of the University of Arizona used computer simulations to investigate the possibility of a nearby flight. 50,000 simulations were performed to analyze how the passage of an interstellar object could have affected planetary orbits over millions of years. The study focused on objects smaller than the stars, but larger than Jupiter, including brown dwarfs and planetary mass bodies. The results suggest that in about 1% of cases, the visiting object influenced planetary movements in a way that corresponds closely in current observations.

Next meeting with the internal solar system

As reported By live science, Malhotra explained that previous models could not completely explain the small deviations in planetary orbits. The simulations revealed that the most accurate representation involved a body almost eight times the mass of Jupiter, approaching 1.69 Astronomical Units (AU) of the Sun. Since Mars orbits around 1.5 au, this suggests an interaction dramatic within the internal solar system.

Potential for more events of this type

Reports indicate that substitute objects are relatively common in the universe, making these flybies more likely than meetings with normal size stars. The study has not yet suffered a pair review, but the results suggest that a single interstellar object could have been responsible for shaping the structure of the solar system, as noted today.