Is there a trueninth planetof the Solar System , in thecurrent senseof the word ? Quite mayhap – and now astronomers need your assistance to find it .

First theorized to exist last class , Planet Nine is think to be a Neptune - sized earthly concern that’slurkingat the edge of the Solar System . Citizen scientists are now encourage to fall in the Holman Hunt through a new undertaking on theZooniverse website .

A interchangeable undertaking call Backyard Worlds : major planet 9 has been running sinceearlier this year , using NASA ’s spacious - champaign Infrared Survey Explorer ( WISE ) to wrap up the northerly skies . Now , astronomers at the Australian National University ( ANU ) are inviting multitude to study images from its SkyMapper scope at the Siding Spring Observatory in New South Wales , Australia to brood the south .

There are grand of figure to study and see for smart back breaker moving , which may be indicative of hidden planets or give way whiz like browned dwarf . The projection is also expect to find other object like asteroids , comets , and gnome planets . All the attention will probably be on Planet Nine , though .

“ We have the potential to find a new planet in our Solar System that no man has ever seen in our two - million - yr history , " say Dr   Brad Tucker from the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics in astatement .

“ Planet Nine is predicted to be a top-notch Earth , about 10 times the mass and up to four times the size of our planet . It ’s decease to be cold and far forth , and about 800 times the distance between Earth and the Sun . It ’s pretty cryptic . ”

Excitingly , if you are postulate in get hold an object , you’re able to also be involved in constitute it . However , verbalize toBBC News , Dr Tucker said : “ I do not want Planet McPlanetface . As much as I like Boaty McBoatface , we wo n’t allow that as an option . ” Sorry if you had your heart limit on that .

The undertaking is going to be launched on BBC Two’sStargazing Livetelevision show tonight at 8 pm BST in the UK , host by Professor Brian Cox ( whom werecently question ) . So if you need to get regard in some actual science , why not give it a go .