Japan's National Astronomical Observatory discovered a small body, named 2023 KQ 14, with an orbit beyond Pluto's. This discovery, made with the 8.2-meter Subaru Telescope, might impact the 'Planet 9' theory, which posits the existence of a large planet influencing distant solar bodies. Dr. Yukun Huang noted that the orbit of 2023 KQ 14 does not align with other known sednoids, decreasing the likelihood of the Planet Nine theory. Dr. Fumi Yoshida suggested the presence of such elongated orbits indicates extraordinary events in the early solar system when 2023 KQ 14 formed.
The discovery of this object has implications for the theory our solar system includes distant 'Planet 9' that orbits well beyond Pluto and influences bodies in the Kuiper Belt and the even more distant Oort Cloud.
The fact that 2023 KQ 14's current orbit does not align with those of the other three sednoids lowers the likelihood of the Planet Nine hypothesis.
The presence of objects with elongated orbits and large perihelion distances in this area implies that something extraordinary occurred during the ancient era when 2023 KQ 14 formed.
The International Astronomical Union will name the object. For now, scientists have given it the nickname 'Ammonite'.
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