The Solar System’s planetary orbits are not as neat as they appear. Slight tilts and oval shapes reveal that the planets don’t follow perfect circles. What could have caused this? Researchers suggest a massive interstellar object might have passed through our system in its early years, leaving behind an enduring cosmic footprint.
Physicists Garett Brown and Hanno Rein from the University of Toronto, along with planetary scientist Renu Malhotra from the University of Arizona, proposed that a colossal object—between 2 and 50 times the mass of Jupiter—may have curved around the Sun billions of years ago. Such an encounter could have subtly shifted the orbits of the giant planets, creating the tilted and elongated patterns we see today.
The researchers tested their theory using 50,000 advanced simulations, finding that a massive object moving at 2.69 kilometers per second, passing close to Mars’s orbit, would best explain these orbital irregularities.
How Rare Are Such Encounters?
The odds of such an event happening are slim, approximately one in 1,000. However, the galaxy is far from empty. Dense star clusters, rogue planets, and wandering stars could potentially bring such an object close enough to interact with the Solar System.
Astronomers know interstellar visitors are not a rarity. The asteroid ‘Oumuamua, which zipped through the Solar System in 2017, was an example of such a cosmic drifter. Unlike ‘Oumuamua, this hypothetical object would have been far larger, with the gravitational force to alter the Solar System’s dynamics significantly.
What If It Happened Again?
The researchers’ models suggest that if a similar encounter occurred today, most planets would remain in stable orbits, albeit slightly adjusted. However, in 2% of cases, one planet could be flung out of the Solar System within 20 million years.
While such events are rare, the Milky Way’s vastness means opportunities for interstellar disruptions may arise over time. The team emphasizes, “We don’t need to search for a needle in a haystack to find suitable conditions.”
Although the Solar System feels like a stable haven, it is anything but isolated. As the Sun moves through the galaxy, its path occasionally intersects with star clusters and rogue celestial bodies. These close encounters could hold the key to understanding the Solar System’s past—and its uncertain future.
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