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Planets Without Stars or Mini-Solar Systems?

iamlucky13 writes "An article today on space.com discusses the discovery of 6 objects by the European Southern Observatory in Chile that are smaller than typical brown dwarfs, larger than Jupiter, and not orbiting any stars. The objects are surrounded by disks of gas and dust possibly similar to the early solar system. In addition to presenting astronomers with a new group of objects to study, the finding also deepens the debate over what makes a planet. The scientists responsible for the discovery sidestep the question by calling them 'Planetary Mass Objects,' or planemos."

2 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. Re:vomits at lovely new slashdot layout by Flimzy · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    In IE6, I dislike that the font is too BIG! And a few minor issues with the backgrounds being in the wrong place.... I want my old slashdot back :(

  2. It has to be asked? by xxdinkxx · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    do these planemos as they call it, run linux? now for my sig. www.mymegastores.com -- go there if you really want to move out of your parents basement