The case against Planet X.

Abstract

The dynamical consequences of the hypothetical trans-Plutonian planet suggested by Brady (1972) are considered. It is concluded that the combination of large mass and unusual orbital inclination would have two serious effects on the solar system. The angle between the solar axis and the normal to the ecliptic would suffer large variations with a period of a few times ten million years, and the coplanar configuration of the outer solar system would be disrupted on a time scale of 1 m.y. The large residuals in the orbit of Halley's comet which prompted the suggestion of a trans-Plutonian planet can be explained in terms of nongravitation forces and the weak orbital binding energy of this object.