Modelling the dynamics of a hypothetical Planet X by way of gravitational N-body simulator
Article
Cowley, Michael and Hughes, Stephen. 2017. "Modelling the dynamics of a hypothetical
Planet X by way of gravitational N-body
simulator." European Journal of Physics. 38 (2), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aa5448
| Article Title | Modelling the dynamics of a hypothetical |
|---|---|
| ERA Journal ID | 34299 |
| Article Category | Article |
| Authors | Cowley, Michael and Hughes, Stephen |
| Journal Title | European Journal of Physics |
| Journal Citation | 38 (2), pp. 1-9 |
| Article Number | 025602 |
| Number of Pages | 9 |
| Year | 2017 |
| Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
| ISSN | 0143-0807 |
| 1361-6404 | |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aa5448 |
| Web Address (URL) | https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1361-6404/aa5448 |
| Abstract | This paper describes a novel activity to model the dynamics of a Jupiter-mass, trans-Neptunian planet of a highly eccentric orbit. Despite a history rooted in modern astronomy, 'Planet X', a hypothesised hidden planet lurking in our outer Solar System, has often been touted by conspiracy theorists as the cause of past mass extinction events on Earth, as well as other modern-day doomsday scenarios. Frequently dismissed as pseudoscience by astronomers, these stories continue to draw the attention of the public by provoking mass media coverage. Targeted at junior undergraduate levels, this activity allows students to debunk some of the myths surrounding Planet X by using simulation software to demonstrate that such a large-mass planet with extreme eccentricity would be unable to enter our Solar System unnoticed, let alone maintain a stable orbit. |
| Keywords | celestial mechanics; planets; simulation |
| Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
| Byline Affiliations | Macquarie University |
| Australian Astronomical Observatory, Australia | |
| Queensland University of Technology |
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