Interstellar visitor may have altered planetary orbits in Solar System, say scientists
A group of scientists has proposed that a massive interstellar object, potentially eight times the size of Jupiter, might have dramatically influenced the orbits of planets in our solar system. The study, currently published on the arXiv preprint database but not yet peer-reviewed, suggests that this celestial intruder passed close to where Mars orbits today, reshaping the paths of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
For years, researchers have noted a discrepancy between the ideal concentric, planar arrangement of planetary orbits and their current three-dimensional orientations. To investigate, the team hypothesized that approximately four billion years ago, a star-sized object entered our solar system. They conducted 50,000 simulations over 20 million years, varying the visitor's mass, velocity, and proximity to the Sun.
Their findings indicate that in about 1% of scenarios, the object's gravitational influence could explain the current orbital patterns of the planets. According to the simulations, the interstellar visitor may have approached within 1.69 astronomical units (AU) of the Sun—just beyond Mars' present orbit. Such proximity would have allowed its gravity to nudge the planets into new trajectories.
While previous theories attributed these irregularities to interactions among the planets themselves, this study posits that a one-time interstellar event may provide a more plausible explanation. The researchers also called for further investigation into the potential effects of such an encounter on minor planets in the asteroid belt and the trans-Neptunian region.
"We estimate that there is about a 1-in-100 chance that such a flyby produces a dynamical architecture similar to that of the solar system," the researchers stated, adding that this encounter could account for the moderate eccentricities and inclinations observed in planetary orbits.
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Liquor ban in MP's religious cities takes effect; CM says historic step towards de-addiction
Bhopal (PTI): A ban on liquor in 19 religious cities and areas under select gram panchayats in Madhya Pradesh, including Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Maihar, came into effect on Tuesday. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described it as a "historic step towards de-addiction".
The CM had announced the liquor ban decision and it was approved by the cabinet on January 24 at its meeting held in Maheshwar town, a place closely associated with legendary medieval-era queen Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar.
According to the decision, all liquor shops and bars will be closed down in the entire urban limits of Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Orchha, Maihar, Chitrakoot, Datia, Panna, Mandla, Multai, Mandsaur and Amarkantak and in the gram panchayat limits of Salkanpur, Kundalpur, Bandakpur, Barmankalan, Barmankhurd and Linga, an official said.
The BJP government has declared these 19 urban and rural areas as "completely sacred", and imposed a total ban on liquor under their jurisdiction.
Yadav in a statement said the government has taken a "historic step towards de-addiction" and cited "public faith and religious reverence" associated with these cities and rural areas as reasons for the move.
The religious places where the liquor ban takes effect from Tuesday are spread across one municipal corporation, half-a-dozen municipal councils and an equal number of village panchayats.
Among these, Ujjain houses the famous Mahakal Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, while Amarkantak is the origin of the Narmada river, which is considered the lifeline of the state.
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