Is there a new planet bigger than Jupiter in the Solar System?

Scientists are hunting to prove the existence of a new planet called Tyche in the Solar System which is estimated to be four times the size of Jupiter.

Astrophysicists John Matese and Daniel Whitmire from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette first proposed the existence of the planet. They believe that the new planet is hidden in the asteroid beehive, Oort Cloud, which constitutes the outer shell of the Solar System.

The Independent reported that the two proposed the theory of the existence of the planet to explain why many of the long-period comets were coming from the wrong direction.

It is speculated that the new planet is four times the mass of Jupiter and its orbit is approximately 375 times larger than that of Pluto.

According to Gizmodo, Tyche has a mild temperature (-73ºC/-99.4ºF) compared to the asteroids around it, which are almost near absolute zero.

Professor Matese told the Independent that whether it would become the new ninth planet would be decided by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The main argument against is that Tyche probably formed around another star and was later captured by the Sun's gravitational field. The IAU may choose to create a whole new category for Tyche.

Professor Whitmire believes that the new planet is made mostly of hydrogen and helium and will probably have an atmosphere much like Jupiter's, with colourful spots and bands and clouds.

The data which could prove the existence of the planet is set to be released later this year. However, astrophysicists claim that the data has already been captured by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer thereby proving its existence.