<p><a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/1512.05288" rel="nofollow">Iorio (Preliminary constraints on the location of Telisto/Planet Nine from planetary orbital dynamics)</a> has suggested transmissions from the New Horizons probe (currently beyond Pluto) could be used to test for the influence of the proposed new planet, and provide constraints to its possible position.</p>

<p>It is estimated that the position of New Horizons could be affected by the proposed planet, of the order of 100 metres or more by 2019. It is stressed that this is a preliminary proposal:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Moreover, the present investigation should be considered just as a preliminary sensitivity analysis which, by no means, is meant to replace a full covariance study based on extensive simulations of the ranging data from New Horizons and their reduction with accurate models including also PX itself, which is outside the scopes of this paper. Nonetheless, the possibility of using the telemetry of New Horizons seems appealing, and would deserve further, more detailed and dedicated studies which will, hopefully, prompted by the present one.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-07T06:30:52.677Z
2016-10-07T09:20:34.443Z
2016-10-07T09:20:34.443Z
Andy
<p>Neptune was discovered 170 years ago with the help of observations of Uranus' orbit. A great demonstration of the scientific principle for its time. Recently, Earth and cis-Lunar based radio interferometry together with the Cassini orbiter have measured Saturn's orbit, 10 AU from the Sun, with very great precision. This has already helped determine some characteristics of a possible planet Nein 200-700 AU from here.</p>

<p>What would be the best way to gravitationally measure the yet unobserved mass concentrations in the Kuiper Belt and beyond, by observing orbits of objects among the known planets?</p>

<p>It takes alot to move Saturn to a measurable degree. What about a space probe with the sole purpose of being easy to locate at high precision, maybe in a highly inclined orbit? Or a family of them in different directions. Would its deplacement from the very weak gravity well of a planet Nine be detectable? If it is the history of Saturn that contributes crucially to the precision, what about an asteroid like Ceres which is known since 200+ years? Is there any special property of Saturn that makes it especially useful? Would a second object as well measured as Saturn be extra helpful by some kind of triangulation of distant gravitational influences?</p>

<gravity><saturn><9th-planet><cassini><ephemeris>
How can we map masses orbiting the outer Solar System by determining the orbits of planets and smaller objects?
LocalFluff
# How can we map masses orbiting the outer Solar System by determining the orbits of planets and smaller objects?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-06)

Neptune was discovered 170 years ago with the help of observations of Uranus' orbit. A great demonstration of the scientific principle for its time. Recently, Earth and cis-Lunar based radio interferometry together with the Cassini orbiter have measured Saturn's orbit, 10 AU from the Sun, with very great precision. This has already helped determine some characteristics of a possible planet Nein 200-700 AU from here.

What would be the best way to gravitationally measure the yet unobserved mass concentrations in the Kuiper Belt and beyond, by observing orbits of objects among the known planets?

It takes alot to move Saturn to a measurable degree. What about a space probe with the sole purpose of being easy to locate at high precision, maybe in a highly inclined orbit? Or a family of them in different directions. Would its deplacement from the very weak gravity well of a planet Nine be detectable? If it is the history of Saturn that contributes crucially to the precision, what about an asteroid like Ceres which is known since 200+ years? Is there any special property of Saturn that makes it especially useful? Would a second object as well measured as Saturn be extra helpful by some kind of triangulation of distant gravitational influences?

**Tags:** gravity, saturn, 9th-planet, cassini, ephemeris


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-10-07. Score: 4

[Iorio (Preliminary constraints on the location of Telisto/Planet Nine from planetary orbital dynamics)](https://arxiv.org/abs/1512.05288) has suggested transmissions from the New Horizons probe (currently beyond Pluto) could be used to test for the influence of the proposed new planet, and provide constraints to its possible position.

It is estimated that the position of New Horizons could be affected by the proposed planet, of the order of 100 metres or more by 2019. It is stressed that this is a preliminary proposal:

> Moreover, the present investigation should be considered just as a preliminary sensitivity analysis which, by no means, is meant to replace a full covariance study based on extensive simulations of the ranging data from New Horizons and their reduction with accurate models including also PX itself, which is outside the scopes of this paper. Nonetheless, the possibility of using the telemetry of New Horizons seems appealing, and would deserve further, more detailed and dedicated studies which will, hopefully, prompted by the present one.


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