Astronomers have obtained new evidence suggesting that a fifth giant planet existed in the solar system billions of years ago.
AzEdu.az reports with reference to foreign media that, according to scientists, this planet, which was later expelled from the system, played an important role in the preservation of the satellites of other giant planets until today.
Research shows that in the early stages of the formation of the solar system, giant planets were closer to each other and to the Sun than their current positions. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune changed their orbits over time under the influence of mutual gravitational forces and moved to their current locations. This process created a serious threat to the satellites.
Computer simulations conducted by researchers have revealed that the probability of Jupiter's and Uranus's moons surviving that complex period is extremely low. According to the results, Jupiter's moons could survive in only 15 percent of the scenarios, and Uranus's moons in 9 percent. The probability of both systems passing this stage simultaneously without damage was approximately 1 percent.
Scientists modeled 122 different scenarios related to the early period of the solar system thousands of times and identified only two successful variants. Both of these models showed the existence of an additional, fifth giant planet in the system.
According to the research, a close encounter with this ice giant occurred as a result of changes in Jupiter's orbit. Jupiter's strong gravitational force threw the mysterious planet out of the solar system, sending it into interstellar space.
Experts believe that this event changed the trajectories of other giant planets, creating conditions for Uranus to be protected from destructive close approaches. As a result, both Uranus's and Jupiter's moons were saved from destruction.
According to scientists, the stable structure of the solar system that exists today was formed as a result of very complex and low-probability cosmic events. In this process, the fifth giant planet, which no longer exists, played an important role.
