By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Astronomers have recently discovered a new object, designated 2023 KQ14 and nicknamed “Ammonite,” located far beyond Pluto. This object is a sednoid, characterized by its highly eccentric orbit, much like the dwarf planet Sedna. The discovery of Ammonite has implications for the “Planet Nine” hypothesis, as its orbital alignment differs from other known sednoids, potentially challenging the theory of a gravitational influence from a ninth planet. Astronomers suggest this could alter the likelihood of Planet Nine’s existence, or that such a planet may exist even farther from the sun.
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Meet ‘Ammonite’ — A New World Just Found In The Solar System beyond Pluto, which is certainly a catchy title! However, we should immediately address the elephant in the room – the use of the word “world.” The headline suggests a discovery of something significant, perhaps a new planet, yet, the reality seems to be more nuanced. It’s crucial to understand that “Ammonite,” or more precisely, 2023 KQ14, isn’t a planet in the traditional sense. It’s what’s known as a sednoid.
Ammonite, this newly discovered celestial body, isn’t massive. Its estimated diameter falls between 220 and 380 kilometers. That’s not quite the scale of a planet. In fact, it is rather small. The title’s wording, while intriguing, should be taken with a grain of salt. Perhaps “Ammonite — A New Celestial Body Beyond Pluto” would have been a more accurate, if less attention-grabbing, headline.
As for the naming conventions, there seems to be a bit of a playful debate brewing! The name Ammonite, as opposed to the more traditional Greek or Roman gods often used, may raise some eyebrows. The name “Ammonite” is certainly interesting and unique, possibly inspired by its shape or other characteristics. Regardless, the name choice is made.
The discussion then delves into the specifics of 2023 KQ14’s orbit and what its existence could mean for other potential celestial bodies. It’s also important to recognize that the discovery of a sednoid like Ammonite can still yield fascinating information and challenge our assumptions about how our solar system works.
The article also mentions the idea that the clustering of sednoids might be used to infer the existence of a larger, undiscovered planet, sometimes referred to as Planet 9. This is where things get especially interesting. Even with our advanced tools, we still lack definitive evidence for Planet 9. The data is suggesting a ninth planet could exist, but the discovery of a sednoid like Ammonite is still useful.
The existence of Ammonite also invites comparison with other recent discoveries. In 2020, a similar object was formally named Leleākūhonua, drawing its inspiration from the migratory patterns of Hawaiian birds. This highlights how the naming process is linked to observations about the celestial bodies.
Ammonite, therefore, isn’t just a space rock; it’s a window into the outer reaches of our solar system. With a diameter of a few hundred kilometers, it’s probably somewhat round. This tiny world, though not of the same scale as Earth’s moon, is interesting. Although the gravity is weak, it’s still enough to hold onto this object, and due to its elliptical orbit, it’s dynamic in how its energy and systems constantly change.
The discussion acknowledges that headlines can be, well, clickbaity. The point is that the discovery of Ammonite, as a sednoid, doesn’t necessarily invalidate the search for Planet 9. It’s a different type of discovery. The importance lies in the expanding knowledge of the solar system and what new celestial bodies can tell us.
Furthermore, Ammonite is not explosive. It’s a fascinating object, and the potential for new discoveries is significant. Even though it’s a small body, it’s still a world of its own.