This Telescope Could Find "Planet 9"
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.
Read more of science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce's reporting here.
Want to hear more stories about the mysteries of space? Email us and let us know at shortwave@npr.org.
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.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Read more of science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce's reporting here.
Want to hear more stories about the mysteries of space? Email us and let us know at shortwave@npr.org.
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.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
- Datum:
- Duur:
Gerelateerde podcastafleveringen
/https%3A//media.npr.org/assets/img/2025/04/22/04.23.25-ep_sq-fa4ff3da8aaf3ebda1260f3da0de5b388dac610f.jpg%3Fs%3D3000%26c%3D66%26f%3Djpg)
/https%3A//media.npr.org/assets/img/2025/04/21/4.22.25-ep_sq-a13cfcdde2acbae035e7258c5c535c068884b028.jpg%3Fs%3D3000%26c%3D66%26f%3Djpg)
/https%3A//media.npr.org/assets/img/2025/04/18/04.21.25-ep_sq-434e9acbe2b1a275287f23c2aaba7c7849facee0.jpg%3Fs%3D3000%26c%3D66%26f%3Djpg)
/https%3A//media.npr.org/assets/img/2025/04/17/4.18.25-ep_sq-abde32d2f3e502911d86b913743cc162984c2bfe.jpg%3Fs%3D3000%26c%3D66%26f%3Djpg)
/https%3A//media.npr.org/assets/img/2025/04/15/04.16.25-ep_sq-4516ee4ea4cd82625ee57efdeabda4d8fce74eb3.jpg%3Fs%3D3000%26c%3D66%26f%3Djpg)
Meer afleveringen van Short Wave
-
This Telescope Could Find "Planet 9"
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... -
Why These Salmon Are On Anxiety Meds
A fish walks into a pharmacy ... well, not exactly. Fish aren't being prescribed anti-anxiety drugs. But they are experiencing the effects. Researchers have found more than 900 different pharmaceutical ingredients in rivers and streams... -
Nature Quest: Are Flowers Blooming Early?
Welcome!! This is the first episode of Nature Quest, a monthly Short Wave segment that answers listener questions about your local environment. This month, we hear from a listener in California who's concerned that the flowers in his...