Rumours of a New Planet is a long-term research project by James N Hutchinson as part of Collective's Constellations Programme. James' research reflects on ideas of scientific study, amateurism and the international trade of goods and knowledge.

Investigating the life, work and travels of historical figures connected to Calton Hill, James has identified three research strands: Margaret Stewart’s botanical drawings made with husband John Herschel on the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, 1834—38; Jessica Duncan’s field notes from her geology excursion through Europe in 1854; Thomas Henderson, the first Astronomer Royal for Scotland and prolific amateur astronomer, Thomas Anderson, both of whom were visually impaired. James is working with the Royal National Institute for the Blind to further explore connections between sightedness and these histories.

James N Hutchinson is based in Glasgow where he is undertaking a PhD at the Glasgow School of Art. Exhibitions and curatorial projects include: Voices from the Archive, Transmission Gallery, Glasgow, 2016; All That Is Solid Melts Into Air, with Jeremy Deller, Hayward Touring, London, 2013; Proposal For A Warehouse or Towards A Museum Of Reorganisation, part of How to Turn the World by Hand, Collective, Edinburgh, and PiST, Istanbul, 2011.