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Explore the intriguing world of low-mass stars, brown dwarfs, and planets; delve into their formation, characteristics, and boundaries. Discover fascinating celestial bodies beyond our Solar System. Engage with the complexity of planetary definitions and the evolving field of astronomy. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos!
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What’s the Deal with Low-Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs, and Planets? Kelle Cruz American Museum of Natural History
Low-Mass Stars, BDs, & Jupiter • All about same size as Jupiter • L dwarfs can be either a stellar or sub-stellar. • Both planets and brown dwarfs cool over time • Jupiter was a T dwarf in youth
In the Solar System (low mass) Sphericity Pluto Diameter Only 9 Discard altogether Terrestrials, Jovians, etc. Outside the Solar System (high mass) Orbits another body Formed in circumstellar disk rather than grav. collapse Difficult to observe Deuterium Burning 13 MJupiter cutoff Definition of Planet
Kuiper Belt Objects From Mike Brown’s website. • Xena (2003 UB313) • Larger than Pluto (10th Planet?) • Has a moon • 2003 EL61 • Has two moons • 2005 FY9 • Both very bright and ¾ Pluto’s size. From Mike Brown’s website.
GQ Lup B • Primary • T Tauri (young Sun) • Secondary (“Planet”) • Spectral type: M9-L4 • Mass: 1-42 MJupiter
2M 1207B • Primary: • young (8 Myr), active • brown dwarf (M8) • Secondary: • 5 MJupiter, L5-L9.5 • Too wide and too massive to have formed in a circumstellar disk.
In Closing • What the heck is a planet? • None of the proposed definitions take care of both mass ends at the same time. • Personally, I think time will tell but in the meantime, enjoy the spectacle! • Provides a great way to engage the public • Signifies an exciting time in astronomy.