<h2>Short answer: Yes, but it is very unlikely.</h2>
<p>The probability that a random object drifts into the Sun's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphere_of_influence_(astrodynamics)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">sphere of influence</a> (SOI) is low (excluding tiny stuff like space dust and small rocks). But the chance that a <strong>full-blown rogue planet</strong> enters our Solar System is many orders of magnitude lower. Let's set up a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Drake equation:</a></p>
<p>Let <span class="math-container">$R_n$</span> be the number of rogue planets in the galaxy, <span class="math-container">$R_{ns}$</span> the fraction of rogue planets that may enter the solar system, <span class="math-container">$R_e$</span> be the probability that one enters the Sun's SOI, <span class="math-container">$R_i$</span> be the probability that the planet will survive an encounter with a Solar System planet, <span class="math-container">$R_s$</span> be the percentage of all possible orbits for the rogue planet after the interaction that are long-term stable, and <span class="math-container">$R_o$</span> be the probability that the rogue planet gets captured into an orbit. Therefore, <span class="math-container">$$R_o=R_nR_cR_iR_s$$</span></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-31T23:56:11.913Z
A planet falling into the Sun's potential picks up the same kinetic energy that it loses in potential energy. To be captured it needs to interact with something else.
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-01T14:18:12.807Z
I'm not mad that people are downvoting my answer. I am just wondering, what could I do to improve this post (instead of just deleting it)?
WarpPrime
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-01T21:35:07.253Z
@ConnorGarcia Thank you for the detailed feedback. I will update my post according to your comments.
WarpPrime
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-02T17:19:27.903Z
@ConnorGarcia I have updated my answer to make it (hopefully) better and more accurate
WarpPrime
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-31T23:45:07.957Z
2021-02-02T17:19:06.390Z
2021-02-02T17:19:06.390Z
WarpPrime
<p>Could we have more planets come into our system and get trapped by our suns gravitational field and rotate?</p>

<the-sun><gravity><rotation>
Will there be any more planets come into our solar system and make it their "home"?
TheBigJoe1489
# Will there be any more planets come into our solar system and make it their "home"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-01-31)

Could we have more planets come into our system and get trapped by our suns gravitational field and rotate?

**Tags:** the-sun, gravity, rotation

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-01-31. Score: -2

## Short answer: Yes, but it is very unlikely.

The probability that a random object drifts into the Sun's [sphere of influence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphere_of_influence_(astrodynamics)) (SOI) is low (excluding tiny stuff like space dust and small rocks). But the chance that a **full-blown rogue planet** enters our Solar System is many orders of magnitude lower. Let's set up a [Drake equation:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake_equation)

Let $R\_n$ be the number of rogue planets in the galaxy, $R\_{ns}$ the fraction of rogue planets that may enter the solar system, $R\_e$ be the probability that one enters the Sun's SOI, $R\_i$ be the probability that the planet will survive an encounter with a Solar System planet, $R\_s$ be the percentage of all possible orbits for the rogue planet after the interaction that are long-term stable, and $R\_o$ be the probability that the rogue planet gets captured into an orbit. Therefore, $$R\_o=R\_nR\_cR\_iR\_s$$

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: A planet falling into the Sun's potential picks up the same kinetic energy that it loses in potential energy. To be captured it needs to interact with something else.  
> **username_1**: I'm not mad that people are downvoting my answer. I am just wondering, what could I do to improve this post (instead of just deleting it)?  
> **username_1**: @ConnorGarcia Thank you for the detailed feedback. I will update my post according to your comments.  
> **username_1**: @ConnorGarcia I have updated my answer to make it (hopefully) better and more accurate  

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