New Planet Found in Our Solar System

[Skull]

It does but you would have thought considering how small it is, we wouldn't have any hidden surprises by now.

Just as an example of how large the solar system is, this is a scale image of the distance from the earth to the moon.

The distance between the earth and the moon (380,000km scaled down) in this image is about 19cm. If we included the sun in this image (149,000,000km away) this picture would need to be 73 metres wide.

If we wanted to include pluto in our little diagram, the ex-planet would be located 2.9km away. That's in a drawing at this scale. And that is only half of pluto's orbit. So if we add the other half in, a scale drawing, at this measly size, would be 5.8km wide (3.6 miles).

Now make that into a sphere with a 5.8km diameter. Reduce yourself to the size of the smallest virus and then imagine trying to survey all of that space.

The solar system does not look like this:

 

[semi-pro waster]

It does but you would have thought considering how small it is, we wouldn't have any hidden surprises by now.

I know you've conceded but just as a point of comparison - approximately 71% of the planets surface is saltwater and yet around 95% of the oceans remain unexplored, remembering that's only talking about what we haven't been exploring on our own little planet.

I'd agree it's a bit of a surprise if there is another planet found in our solar system but given how much space is out there it is possible. You can't help feeling this would be just adding insult to injury for Pluto if it is true though.

 

[Rroff]

Just as an example of how large the solar system is, this is a scale image of the distance from the earth to the moon.

The distance between the earth and the moon (380,000km scaled down) in this image is about 19cm. If we included the sun in this image (149,000,000km away) this picture would need to be 73 metres wide.

If we wanted to include pluto in our little diagram, the ex-planet would be located 2.9km away. That's in a drawing at this scale. And that is only half of pluto's orbit. So if we add the other half in, a scale drawing, at this measly size, would be 5.8km wide (3.6 miles).

Now make that into a sphere with a 5.8km diameter. Reduce yourself to the size of the smallest virus and then imagine trying to survey all of that space.

And using that scale - theres still sizeable debris that is known of and plenty thats probablly there that isn't - even possibly large planets out to
another 12km or so IIRC.

 

[The Halk]

Even if they are you can still increase by factor of ten and still undercut everyone by a massive amount.
Saving all those tons of fuel makes a huge difference as does making it reusable.

Well, that's only a saving if you're going to keep sending big expensive rockets up. The 8 billion or so it'd cost isn't that much really, in the grand scheme of things, and probably money we should just simply find, because it'd find it's way back into our economy many times.

 

[RomanNose]

Just as an example of how large the solar system is, this is a scale image of the distance from the earth to the moon.

The distance between the earth and the moon (380,000km scaled down) in this image is about 19cm. If we included the sun in this image (149,000,000km away) this picture would need to be 73 metres wide.

If we wanted to include pluto in our little diagram, the ex-planet would be located 2.9km away. That's in a drawing at this scale. And that is only half of pluto's orbit. So if we add the other half in, a scale drawing, at this measly size, would be 5.8km wide (3.6 miles).

Now make that into a sphere with a 5.8km diameter. Reduce yourself to the size of the smallest virus and then imagine trying to survey all of that space.

The solar system does not look like this:

Just shows how little we know, I guess we still have a lot of work to do even on our solar system.

I know you've conceded but just as a point of comparison - approximately 71% of the planets surface is saltwater and yet around 95% of the oceans remain unexplored, remembering that's only talking about what we haven't been exploring on our own little planet.

I'd agree it's a bit of a surprise if there is another planet found in our solar system but given how much space is out there it is possible. You can't help feeling this would be just adding insult to injury for Pluto if it is true though.

I just haven't really put in any thought about this before, I thought that we actually had a reasonable knowledge of the solar system and we really don't.

 

[King Damager]

I don't care what anyone says, Pluto is still a planet. Scientific fact.

Absolutely this.

kd

 

[MrElve]

Just shows how little we know, I guess we still have a lot of work to do even on our solar system.

In my own opinion, as much as the human race knows, we will never know any more than about 5% of what our universe is or contains, let alone our own solar system. Some (being most) things are and always will remain unknown to us. And in my view, that's the greatest thing about the universe, that, and just it's mindblowing infinite size is what makes it so amazing.

I don't care what anyone says, Pluto is still a planet. Scientific fact.

+1.

 

[trigger-happy]

We should nuke it, just in case nibru comes.

 

[Glaucus]

Well, that's only a saving if you're going to keep sending big expensive rockets up. The 8 billion or so it'd cost isn't that much really, in the grand scheme of things, and probably money we should just simply find, because it'd find it's way back into our economy many times.

We'll always go to space. We need satalights, space tourism is due to start next year (well I know there's been a few Russian flights for super rich) and off course private parties are starting to think about long term technology for mining resources and other activities.

 

[MrElve]

We should nuke it, just in case nibru comes.

LOL? And what will that achieve? Tons of little (or possibly big) meteorites just flying around the inside of our solar system. Nevertheless, that thing is further than pluto.. Even the Voyager 1 hasn't even reached Neptune yet, let alone pluto! And that thing has been going for 33 years!

EDIT: Turns out I mis-read something about Voyager 1's distance as incorrectly stated above ^. My bad.

 

[Glaucus]

LOL? And what will that achieve? Tons of little (or possibly big) meteorites just flying around the inside of our solar system. Nevertheless, that thing is further than pluto.. Even the Voyager 1 hasn't even reached Neptune yet, and that thing has been going for 33 years, Let alone pluto!

What!!!!!

It's well well past neptune, it's about to leave the solar system

 

[timmy85]

Keep it up chaps. Enjoying reading this.

 

[StriderX]

Anyone else in favour of slapping anyone with little information regarding space, say aye.

 

[MrElve]

What!!!!!

It's well well past neptune, it's about to leave the solar system

Oh dayum. Turns out I mis-read something. Either way, It took it about what, 25-30 years to reach / pass Pluto?

There wouldn't be any point in sending a nuke up unless;

A) It was closer
B) It was a threat

xD

 

[RomanNose]

So does anyone know what %age of the solar system we have approximately explored?

 

[badcompany]

LOL? And what will that achieve? Tons of little (or possibly big) meteorites just flying around the inside of our solar system. Nevertheless, that thing is further than pluto.. Even the Voyager 1 hasn't even reached Neptune yet, let alone pluto! And that thing has been going for 33 years!

VOYAGER 1
DISTANCE
FROM EARTH
17,934,335,926 KM
119.88363098 AU
DISTANCE
FROM THE SUN
18,050,433,222 KM
120.65969347 AU
ROUNDTRIP LIGHT
TIME FROM THE SUN
33:14:05
(hh:mm:ss)

Location: Voyager 1 and 2 are currently in the "Heliosheath" -- the outermost layer of the heliosphere where the solar wind is slowed by the pressure of interstellar gas

 

[badcompany]

So does anyone know what %age of the solar system we have approximately explored?

at a guess . 0.000000000000000000001% lol

 

[MrElve]

So does anyone know what %age of the solar system we have approximately explored?

I don't think a percentage can be accurately calculated, but all I'd guess is, nowhere near a lot, tiny percentage. Like 2-3%? Just my guess.

EDIT: And yes, I know I made a big mistake about Voyagers distance. I misread something very poorly.

 

[estebanrey]

Have they decided if Pluto is a planet or not yet?

 

[MrElve]

Have they decided if Pluto is a planet or not yet?

Neil DeGrasse Tyson downgraded it to a Dwarf Planet didn't he?