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Rogue Brown Dwarf Lurks In Our Cosmic Neighborhood

Posted by Soulskill on from the brown-dwarf-rogue-lurks-in-ironforge dept.

astroengine writes "The UK Infrared Telescope in Hawaii has discovered a lone, cool brown dwarf called UGPSJ0722-05. As far as sub-stellar objects go, this is a strange one. For starters, it's the coolest brown dwarf ever discovered (and astronomers using the UKIRT should know; they are making a habit of finding cool brown dwarfs). Secondly, it's close. In fact, it's the closest brown dwarf to Earth, at a distance of only 10 light years. And thirdly, it has an odd spectroscopic signature, leading astronomers to think that this might be the discovery of a whole new class of brown dwarf."

3 of 188 comments (clear)

  1. Cue the Nibiru quacks by Craig+Maloney · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Just waiting for the Nibiru and Planet X quacks to say "See? We told you so!".

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibiru_collision

  2. Re:thats actually really close... by tmosley · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You think we can send a probe an average of 1/10th C, including acceleration and slowdown?

  3. Re:thats actually really close... by GigaplexNZ · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Wouldn't solar sails fail to work once you reach the Heliopause?