Is a Miniature Solar System Being Born?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the discovery of a potential miniature solar system, specifically focusing on a brown dwarf surrounded by a disk of dust and gas. Participants explore the implications of this finding, including the characteristics of the brown dwarf and its comparison to our solar system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the brown dwarf is less than one hundredth the mass of the sun and is located 500 light years away in the constellation Chamaeleon.
  • Others emphasize that the brown dwarf is not a true star since it does not achieve fusion, describing it as a "failed star" and comparing its mass to about ten times that of Jupiter.
  • One participant makes a light-hearted comment suggesting a connection to another user, indicating a social aspect to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying views on the nature of the brown dwarf and its classification, with some agreeing on its characteristics while others focus on its implications for solar system formation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the broader significance of the discovery.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the conditions necessary for solar system formation and the definitions of what constitutes a star.

Astronuc
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Possible Miniature Solar System Discovered

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Astronomers have discovered what they believe is the birth of the smallest known solar system. Peering through ground- and space-based telescopes, scientists observed a brown dwarf — or failed star — less than one hundredth the mass of the sun surrounded by what appears to be a disk of dust and gas.

The brown dwarf — located 500 light years away in the constellation Chamaeleon — appears to be undergoing a planet-forming process that could one day yield a solar system, said Kevin Luhman of Pennsylvania State University, who led the discovery.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051130/ap_on_sc/tiny_solar_system;_ylt=AkzJivxvW0DGRbs1ZW0JAzRxieAA;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NmhocGZ1BHNlYwMxNzAw
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Astronuc said:
Possible Miniature Solar System Discovered
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051130/ap_on_sc/tiny_solar_system;_ylt=AkzJivxvW0DGRbs1ZW0JAzRxieAA;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NmhocGZ1BHNlYwMxNzAw


Its going to be a very cold system with a "star" that fails to attain fusion (and thus, isn't really a star). In fact, that's only about ten times the mass of Jupiter.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
yes,compared with our solar system .
 
I think that I just figured out where Pengwino is from... :rolleyes:
 

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