'Planet X' Might Be Culprit Of Comet Bombardment On Earth

Researchers have wanted to know the whereabouts of a potential ninth planet for quite a while. Referred to as "Planet X" or "Planet Nine," some researchers are exploring the idea that the planet has something to do with Earth's various mass extinctions.

The new study, initiated by astrophysicist Daniel Whitmire, claimed that planet's existence might influence comet showers every 27 million years. Such showers potentially lead to mass extinction.

Whitmire has been involved with the idea of a ninth planet for 30 years. Researchers from Caltech are also in on the possibility, and recently they suggested the planet existed due to objects seen in the Kuiper Belt. In the situation that the researchers are right, Planet X would be 10 times the size of Earth and would sit 1,000 times farther from the sun.

Whitmire and his colleague, John Matese, first published details on the connection between Planet X and mass extinction on Earth in the journal Nature in 1985. The title of the article was, "Did Comets Kill the Dinosaurs? A Bold New Theory About Mass Extinctions."

At the time, there were two other theories that compete with Planet X on what causes regular comet showers. The two ideas have since been ruled as "outdated," as News University of Arkansas put it.

Whitmire and Matese's theory claims that Planet X orbiting of the sun knocks comets into the solar system due to its tilted orbit. The comets would not only crash into Earth, but they would also break down and block sunlight from reaching the Earth. This results in the cooling of the Earth, another factor that leads to mass extinction on the planet.

"If there is ever a final answer I'd love to write a book about it," said Whitmire about the possibility of Planet X existing.