A team of astronomers has discovered a new, large planet beyond Neptune’s orbit, dubbed 2017 OF201. This minor world measures between 290 and 510 miles (470 and 820 kilometers) in diameter, rivaling the largest asteroid in the belt, Ceres. The object is classified as an extreme trans-Neptunian object, with an orbit that takes it as far as 838 astronomical units from the Sun – nearly 30 times farther than Neptune.
This discovery adds to the ongoing search for Planet Nine, a theorized distant world thought to explain the strange clustering of objects in the Kuiper Belt. While 2017 OF201 is not the massive planet previously predicted, its existence highlights the solar system’s continued ability to surprise us. The newly cataloged minor planet will be studied further to determine if it can help clarify the movement of objects beyond Neptune.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/new-minor-planet-spotted-past-pluto-one-of-the-largest-distant-objects-in-the-solar-system-2000605924