Earlier this year, astronomers Kontantin Batygin and Mike Brown, who is credited for demoting Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet, shared an exciting discovery they made while observing the Kuiper belt. Their research has provided significant evidence that the solar system is indeed made up of nine planets.

Like Us on Facebook

The astronomers have yet to directly observe the mysterious Planet 9 however there is already much fanfare surrounding their discovery. Conspiracy theorists have long speculated on a planet beyond Neptune that would bring about destruction to the Earth.  Dubbing the apocalyptic planet Niburu, the theories have long been considered pseudo-science. However, recently an astrophysicist has revealed that there is scientific evidence that the theorists are on to something.

In a report by New York Post, Daniel Whitmire, an astronomer from the University of Louisiana, revealed that the newly discovered Planet 9 could wipe out life on Earth as it did a few million years ago.

According to Whitmire, the extinction events on Earth, which happens every 25 - 27 million years, is caused by Planet 9 knocking asteroids and comets from the Kuiper belt towards the planet.  This event happens when the planet is closest to the Earth during its 20,000 year orbit around the sun.

Nevertheless, scientists from all over the world are in a frantic hunt to provide direct observation of the elusive Planet Nine. In a report by Gizmodo, a few have chimed in on the possibility of Planet 9.

According to Nick Cowan from McGill University, there is mathematical evidence that Planet 9 indeed does exist.

"The most exciting thing about Planet nine to me is that it's uncharted territory.You do the math and realize, you could easily hide a planet out there, maybe more than one. Nature is amazingly good at making planets, and she puts them wherever the hell she wants," quipped by Cowan.

Agnes Fienga, a planetary dynamicist from France, is certain that more details about Planet 9 would be uncovered in the next few months saying:

"I am not one hundred percent sure if there is a planet or not. But I think in a year we should have almost a definite answer."