Planet Y: A Hidden Earth-Size World Could Lurk Far Closer Than 'Planet Nine'

Astronomers have stumbled upon a cosmic puzzle that could reshape our understanding of the Solar System. New measurements reveal a mysterious warp in the outer Solar System's structure, suggesting the gravitational pull of a hidden, Earth-sized world much closer to home than the elusive 'Planet Nine'.

"This discovery is certainly a puzzle," said researchers studying the phenomenon. "The warp we've detected in the Kuiper Belt plane could be the signature of a small, rocky planet orbiting far closer than anyone previously imagined."

The Kuiper Belt - that vast ring of icy remnants from our Solar System's formation - now shows gravitational anomalies that point to a hidden neighbor. While Planet Nine remains a theoretical world lurking in the distant darkness, this newfound 'Planet Y' appears to be much more accessible to observation.

What makes this discovery particularly compelling is its proximity. If confirmed, this Earth-sized world would orbit within the relatively "nearby" regions of our cosmic neighborhood - a tantalizing possibility that could rewrite astronomy textbooks.

Scientists are now racing to pinpoint the exact location of this potential world, using advanced telescopes and gravitational mapping techniques. The implications are profound: our Solar System may have a secret resident we've never seen before.

For the full scientific details and methodology behind this discovery, visit the original report on Yahoo News.