With Discovery of Dwarf Planet, Local Astronomer Says Scientists One Step Closer in Solving Mysteries of Outer Space
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Could a recent discovery of a dwarf planet hint that a separate planet bigger than earth exists?
Ten years ago, scientists found a dwarf planet in the most distant reaches of the solar system and named it "Sedna". Now another was found this week called "2012 VP-113". The VP inspired its nick name of Biden.
Dr. Edward Guinan teaches astronomy at Villanova University. He says the latest discovery leads to speculation that another rogue planet is in outer space.
"This implies and the other object that was found 10 years ago implies there is something out there 100 times more distant than the earth and sun and the other one found 10 years ago called Sedna," Dr. Guinan said.
The discovery of Sedna a decade ago led to the dethroning of Pluto from planet to dwarf planet status. Experts say the more bodies discovered like Biden will help scientist understand how the solar system and how it came to be.
