Join Hugh Ross in this breaking News of the Day episode of Stars, Cells, and God. Hugh describes an analysis by an international team of 44 astronomers of a survey of trans-Neptunian objects. This analysis reveals strong evidence for the existence of a sixth belt of asteroids/comets in the solar system. Here are some takeaways:

• The Kuiper Belt asteroids/comets orbit at 35–55 times Earth’s orbital distance from the Sun.


• The asteroids/comets in the newly discovered belt orbit at 70–90 times Earth’s orbital distance from the Sun.


• There appears to be a gap from 55­–70 times Earth’s orbital distance from the Sun where very few asteroids/comets exist.


• If this discovery of a new asteroid/comet is confirmed, it will enable astronomers to develop a much more detailed Grand Tack model for the early migration of solar system planets.


• A more detailed Grand Tack model will reveal even more evidence for the exquisite fine-tuning of the solar system that makes advanced life possible on Earth.

Links and Resources:

• Candidate Distant Trans-Neptunian Objects Detected by the New Horizons Subaru TNO Survey


• Hugh Ross, Designed to the Core