Astronomers may be close to discovering a ninth hidden planet, often called “Planet Nine,” suspected to reside far beyond Neptune in the Kuiper Belt.

The existence of this planet gained attention in 2016 when scientists Michael Brown and Konstantin Batygin suggested that its gravitational influence could explain the strange orbits of some Kuiper Belt objects.

Though no direct observation has been made, unusual orbital patterns and gravitational anomalies provide evidence for its presence, Gadgets 360 has reported.

Efforts to locate the planet are ongoing, with improved telescopes and data analysis increasing the chances of a discovery in the next decade, which could significantly change our understanding of the solar system.

Written by B.C. Begley