If another planet is out there, this telescope could help find it

Enlarge this image Rubin Observatory at night in March 2024. Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA/A. Pizarro D. hide caption toggle caption Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA/A. Pizarro D. Rubin Observatory at night in March 2024. Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA/A. Pizarro D. Some scientists are convinced that beyond Neptune, there’s a planet they’ve yet to see. This so-called “Planet 9” is so far away, it would be a faint object. The stretch of sky researchers would have to search is huge. But a new astronomical facility on a mountaintop in Chile could help tackle the search. The NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has been under construction for years. Now, scientists are finetuning its instruments so the telescope can begin its 10-year mission of taking images of almost the entire southern sky. This story was reported by science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce. Read more of her reporting here. Sponsor Message Want to hear more stories about the mysteries of space? Email us and let us know at [email protected]. Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. This episode was produced by Rachel Carlson and edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. Kwesi Lee was the audio engineer.