Nearly a decade ago, Pluto was demoted, leaving our solar system with only 8 planets. One of the men instrumental in the small, celestial orb’s reclassification says he and a colleague have likely found a replacement for the now vacant 9th spot in our solar system lineup. <br /> <br /> <br /> Nearly a decade ago, Pluto was demoted, leaving our solar system with only 8 planets. <br /> <br /> One of the men instrumental in the small, celestial orb’s reclassification says he and a colleague have likely found a replacement for the now vacant 9th spot in our solar system lineup. <br /> <br /> A recently published paper written by self-described ‘Pluto killer’ Mike Brown and his Caltech collaborator Konstantin Batygin makes a case for the existence of a very large planet far beyond Neptune and the Kuiper Belt. <br /> <br /> The two initially began their research to disprove a 2014 study that suggested dwarf planet arrangement irregularities in that area were caused by a much larger body. <br /> <br /> Brown’s and Baygin’s extensive mathematical calculations and numerous computer models not only ended up supporting the theory, they strengthened the case. <br /> <br /> The astronomers do have yet to actually set eyes on the potential new 9th planet, but are working towards that end.
