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Physical Sciences: Search for a Trans-Plutonian Planet
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  • Letter
  • Published: 29 September 1972

Physical Sciences: Search for a Trans-Plutonian Planet

  • A. P. O. FOSS1,
  • J. S. SHAWE-TAYLOR1 &
  • D. P. D. WHITWORTH1 

Nature volume 239, page 266 (1972)Cite this article

  • 257 Accesses

  • Metrics details

Abstract

Brady and Carpenter1, when working out an ephemeris for the 1986 apparition of Halley's Comet, found they had to include a secular term to explain the observations of previous apparitions. Kiang2 has examined the original records of the apparitions of the comet, and his revised dates of perihelion passage considerably decrease the residuals of Brady and Carpenter's adopted orbit, which includes the secular term. From this term, Brady3 inferred the existence and predicted the position of a trans-Plutonian planet.

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References

  1. Brady, J. L., and Carpenter, E., Astron., 76, 728 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Kiang, T., Mem. Roy. Astron. Soc., 76, 27 (1972).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Brady, J. L., Proc. Astron. Soc. Pac., 84, 314 (1972).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Seidelmann, P. K., Astron. J., 76, 740 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Greenwich Observatory, Herstmonceux Castle, Hailsham, Sussex

    A. P. O. FOSS, J. S. SHAWE-TAYLOR & D. P. D. WHITWORTH

Authors
  1. A. P. O. FOSS
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  2. J. S. SHAWE-TAYLOR
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  3. D. P. D. WHITWORTH
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FOSS, A., SHAWE-TAYLOR, J. & WHITWORTH, D. Physical Sciences: Search for a Trans-Plutonian Planet. Nature 239, 266 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/239266a0

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  • Received: 07 August 1972

  • Issue date: 29 September 1972

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/239266a0

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