David Elder lecture: Prof Mike Brown "Planet Nine from Outer Space

Mike Brown is the Richard and Barbara Rosenberg Professor of Planetary Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology and the author of "How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming". In the past 175 years, more than 30 separate astronomers have suggested the existence of a giant planet beyond Neptune. They have always been wrong. In 2016, Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown joined the list, suggesting that Planet Nine, at a distance perhaps 20 times greater than that of Neptune, is the only plausible explanation for a wide range of phenomena in the distant solar system.

In this David Elder Lecture, Mike will talk about why they think Planet Nine is real, how they’re continuing to develop their hypothesis, and what they are doing to track down this elusive planet and when they might find it. Some aspects of the lectures are technical, and they are therefore most likely to appeal to older teenagers and interested adults. The livestream comprises a 35-minute lecture and 20-25 minute opportunity for viewers to ask questions.

Glasgow Science Centre is proud to host the David Elder Lectures in partnership with the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Physics.