Planets with No Orbit: Fascinating News

In summary, recent news has revealed the existence of planets with no orbit, potentially enough to explain dark matter. However, it is unlikely that these planets, known as MACHOs, make up a significant portion of dark matter. It is more likely that they are failed brown dwarf stars that could threaten the stability of our solar system. There have also been concerns about the potential impact of these planets on our Oort Cloud and the possibility of them being micro black holes. This discovery may require a redefinition of what a planet is.
  • #1
Tanelorn
888
15
Interesting news about planets with no orbit:


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110518/ap_on_sc/us_sci_wandering_planets


Perhaps enough mass to explain dark matter?
 
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  • #2
Tanelorn said:
Interesting news about planets with no orbit:


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110518/ap_on_sc/us_sci_wandering_planets


Perhaps enough mass to explain dark matter?
Probably not, there's not enough microlensing events for MACHOs to be responsible for more than about 5% of dark matter IIRC.
 
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  • #3
And BBN tells us dark matter is mostly non-baryonic.
 
  • #4
My view is that these could be failed brown dwarf stars which couldn't acquire enough mass to start nuclear reactions. It makes sense to me that there could be a lot more of these "Jupiters" floating around on their own than stars like our own.

Such bodies could also threaten the stability of our solar system. This isn't Sci-Fi, there was a star which 10000 years ago passed within 7 light years of us and is now 13 light years from us. It travels retrograde from us in orbit around the galaxy. I think it is called Kapteyn's Star:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapteyn's_Star



Thanks Vanadium. Here is a BBN article:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/11/01/dark-matter-still-existing/
 
  • #5
From current data, there'll be a ~1 LY fly-by in a million years or so...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliese_710

It could seriously perturb the Oort Cloud, scattering umpteen potential comets. The good news is those headed our way may take several million years to reach inner solar system...

Of course, the current infrared surveys could yet find several hyper-dim 'brown dwarf' candidates in our neighbourhood. Problem then is to determine if they are orbiting the Sun, have 'Common Proper Motion' or are merely 'passing through'...
 
  • #6
Could at least some of these 'wanderers' be micro black holes? If so, I hope one isn't headed our way!
 
  • #7
Looks like they will once again have to redefine what a planet is.
 

What is a planet with no orbit?

A planet with no orbit is a celestial body that does not revolve around a star or any other object in a predictable path. This means that it does not follow the usual elliptical orbit that most planets in our solar system do.

How do planets with no orbit form?

There are a few theories about how planets with no orbit form. One possibility is that they were once part of a larger object, like an asteroid or comet, that was disrupted by an impact or gravitational forces. Another theory is that they were formed in a similar way as stars, through the collapse of a gas cloud, but were not able to gather enough mass to become a star.

Do planets with no orbit exist in our solar system?

No, there are no confirmed planets with no orbit in our solar system. However, there are several objects that have been classified as "rogue planets" which do not have a stable orbit around a star. These objects may have been ejected from their original planetary system and are now drifting through space.

How are planets with no orbit detected?

Planets with no orbit are difficult to detect, as they do not emit light or have a predictable location in the sky. However, they can be indirectly detected through their gravitational effects on nearby objects, such as stars or other planets. Scientists also use advanced telescopes and techniques, like microlensing, to search for these elusive objects.

What can we learn from studying planets with no orbit?

Studying planets with no orbit can provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems. It can also help us better understand the dynamics of objects in space and the effects of gravity. Additionally, these objects may have unique compositions and characteristics, which can expand our knowledge of the diversity of planets in the universe.

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