Scientists say they have found evidence of a new Earth-like
planet that has suddenly appeared in our Solar System and is orbiting
the Sun.

Physicists, including those from the National Astronomical Observatory
of Japan, said the planet is likely to be the mysterious ‘Planet Nine’
that was hypothesised to exist in the far outer edges of the Solar
System.

Several studies in the past have suggested there is likely an
undiscovered planet beyond the Kuiper Belt – a stellar disk of materials
such as asteroids, space rocks, comets around the Sun in the outer
Solar System past the orbit of Neptune.

Independent.co.uk reports: In the new research, published recently in The Astronomical Journal, scientists
found that some of the objects in the Kuiper Belt behave in a way
indicative of the presence of a small planet among them.

One such object, they said, is about 500 astronomical units (AU) from
the Sun, where 1 AU is the distance between the Sun and the Earth.

In comparison Neptune is at a distance of 30 AUs from the Sun.

Some of these were also found to have “odd” orbits suggesting they
are being pull by the gravity of a cosmic entity larger than those that
typically influence such objects.

Computer simulations run by the scientists indicate that the most
likely explanation for the observations was another hidden planet in the
Kuiper Belt.

“We predict the existence of an Earth-like planet,” researchers wrote in the study.

“It is plausible that a primordial planetary body could survive in
the distant Kuiper Belt as a Kuiper Belt planet (KBP), as many such
bodies existed in the early solar system,” they added.

If such a planet exists, researchers say it would have a mass about
1.5 to 3 times that of Earth with an inclination of about 30 degrees.

They say the theorised planet’s orbit would likely place it between 250 and 500 AU from the Sun.

Researchers say the discovery of such a planet close to the Kuiper
Belt can unravel new constraints on planet formation and evolution.

“In conclusion, the results of the KBP scenario support the existence
of a yet-undiscovered planet in the far outer solar system,” scientists
noted.

In a pioneering study, scientists have used synchrotron techniques to
shed light on one of the most significant events in Earth’s history,
the Great Oxidation Event. This event, which occurred about 2.4 billion
years ago, was a turning point in the composition of our planet’s
atmosphere, which ultimately determined the development of complex life
forms and led to the transformation of Earth’s ecosystems.

Understanding plate tectonics and the Earth’s chemical composition

Plate tectonics plays a critical role in the cycling and exchange of
elements between the Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and mantle. Mountains
undergo weathering and erosion through interaction with water and the
atmosphere and break down to become sedimentary rocks. These sediments
are then partially returned to the mantle by subduction processes as one
tectonic plate dips beneath another. The formation of magmas in the
mantle above subduction zones provides a unique opportunity to
investigate how the atmosphere may have influenced the mantle by
assimilating materials from subducted sediments and provides valuable
insights into this complex geologic relationship.

Apatite inclusions in zircon crystals: Unlocking the secrets

To unravel the mysteries of the Great Oxidation Event, scientists
have turned their attention to apatite inclusions in zircon crystals
found in ancient magmas. These inclusions represent a window into the
past, providing valuable information about the redox state of the
environment during this critical period. Studying these inclusions using
synchrotron techniques at ESRF – Extremely Brilliant Source – allowed
researchers to analyze the valence characterization of sulfur and gain
insight into the atmospheric conditions that influenced the state of the
mantle.

Overcoming challenges with innovative techniques

Studying the interaction between Earth’s atmosphere and mantle is not
an easy task, especially given the rapid changes that occurred during
the early stages of Earth’s development. However, a team led by the
University of Montpellier and the University of Portsmouth, in
collaboration with ESRF, has developed a method to overcome these
difficulties. By studying apatite inclusions in zircon crystals, they
were able to obtain valuable information about redox conditions during
the Great Oxidation Event.

Hugo Moreira, CNRS postdoctoral fellow at the University of
Montpellier and first author of the paper, explains the significance of
the findings, “Apatite is an indirect indicator of redox conditions.
When it grows under reduced conditions, its sulfur signature differs
from that crystallized under oxidized conditions. Analyzing the valence
composition of sulfur in apatite inclusions allows us to understand the
changing redox state of magmas and the influence of atmospherically
altered precipitation percolating into the mantle.”

Implications of the study

The results of this study have far-reaching implications for our
understanding of Earth history and the development of life on our
planet. By uncovering crucial information about the Great Oxidation
Event, scientists will be able to piece together the puzzle of how
oxygen accumulated in the atmosphere and how it influenced the evolution
of complex multicellular life forms. This study emphasizes the
importance of interdisciplinary research and innovative methods in
unlocking the mysteries of our planet’s past.

– “Apatite is an indirect indicator of redox conditions. When it
grows under reduced conditions, its sulfur signature is different from
that which crystallizes under oxidized conditions.” – Hugo Moreira, CNRS
postdoctoral fellow at the University of Montpellier.