Fact or Fiction: 2 Planets Discovered in Perpendicular Orbits?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the claim of two planets discovered in perpendicular orbits relative to the existing nine planets. Participants express skepticism regarding the stability of such orbits due to gravitational perturbations from mass in the plane of the ecliptic. The conversation also highlights the ambiguity surrounding the definition of "planet," suggesting that the objects in question may be larger-than-usual entities in the Oort Cloud rather than traditional planets. Overall, the consensus leans towards the improbability of stable perpendicular orbits in the solar system.

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Astronomers, astrophysicists, and science enthusiasts interested in planetary formation and orbital dynamics.

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I've just talked with someone who informed me of a T.V. special, that dealt with the discovery of two planets, that move in perpendicular orbits - relative to the other nine planets. Is this true, or was I right in assuming that it was ridiculous?
 
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I don't believe that can be a long term stable orbit. The amount of mass in or near plane of the ecliptic would surely perturb such orbits after a while.
 
Originally posted by selfAdjoint
I don't believe that can be a long term stable orbit. The amount of mass in or near plane of the ecliptic would surely perturb such orbits after a while.

That's what I tried to tell him, but he insisted that he had seen this on some "science special".
 
The special to which he reffered might have been fudging around a little with the definition of "planet", since we don't really have one, yet. Maybe they were just talking about a couple of larger-than-usual objects in the Oort Cloud (which is, after all, spherical).
 

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