Mysterious "Planet 9"

The furore surrounding the solar system's theoretical 'Planet 9' reached new heights after a University of Michigan researcher discovered evidence that may shed light on the existence of the elusive world beyond Neptune.

Some researchers believe that 'Planet 9' exists because of the way certain space phenomena, known as Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs), behave. Conspiracy theorists, meanwhile, believe that NASA is keeping Planet 9's existence a secret, because it's on a collision course with Earth, which will result in our annihilation.

Research from Juliette Becker and her team indicates the answer to Planet 9's existence lies in the life of TNOs.

Smaller than former planet Pluto, TNOs are rocky objects which orbit the sun at a greater distance than Neptune, the gas giant at the edge of the solar system. Some astronomers say that for these TNOs to occupy their...