What is the Possibility of Habitable Planets Around Brown Dwarfs?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the potential for habitable planets around Brown Dwarfs, specifically addressing their characteristics, types, and the conditions necessary for habitability. Participants highlight that while Brown Dwarfs may host planets, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) defines exoplanets around them as not being true planets due to their orbital characteristics. The conversation also touches on the visual and environmental conditions on such planets, including light conditions and the visibility of stars during the day. The need for more specific inquiries into these topics is emphasized throughout the discussion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Brown Dwarfs and their classification
  • Familiarity with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) definitions of celestial bodies
  • Basic knowledge of exoplanetary systems and habitability criteria
  • Awareness of light conditions and atmospheric effects on planetary surfaces
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the characteristics of T-type Brown Dwarfs and their habitable zones
  • Explore the impact of tidal forces on planetary orbits in Brown Dwarf systems
  • Investigate the atmospheric conditions and potential biosignatures on planets around Brown Dwarfs
  • Examine the visibility of stars and light conditions from the surface of exoplanets in Brown Dwarf systems
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Astronomers, astrophysicists, and space enthusiasts interested in exoplanet research, particularly those focusing on the habitability of planets around Brown Dwarfs.

DiamondTiara
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TL;DR
What would planets around Brown Dwarfs be like?
I have not seen a whole lot on this topic, so I'm just going to ask a few general questions here that have crossed my mind recently. Habitable meaning, of similar temperature to that of the Earth.

1 - What would we expect habitable planets around Brown Dwarfs to be like?
2 - What types of Brown Dwarf stars would be more conductive to having habitable planets?
3 - What would the view / sky from the surface of such planets look like?
4 - What types of planetary systems would Brown Dwarfs be expected to have?
5 - Would Y Dwarf stars be capable of having habitable planets?
 
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What research have you done on this so far? What have you found?
 
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Technically, exoplanets around brown dwarfs are not planets. The IAU definition is that a planet orbits the sun.

I think you also need to be a little more specific in your questions: "What would we expect habitable planets around Brown Dwarfs to be like?" Um....we'd expect them to be habitable, I guess.

If you are looking for more, you'll have to point us in the right direction.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Technically, exoplanets around brown dwarfs are not planets. The IAU definition is that a planet orbits the sun.

I think you also need to be a little more specific in your questions: "What would we expect habitable planets around Brown Dwarfs to be like?" Um....we'd expect them to be habitable, I guess.
Habitable, perhaps, but also inhospitable!
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Technically, exoplanets around brown dwarfs are not planets. The IAU definition is that a planet orbits the sun.

I think you also need to be a little more specific in your questions: "What would we expect habitable planets around Brown Dwarfs to be like?" Um....we'd expect them to be habitable, I guess.

If you are looking for more, you'll have to point us in the right direction.

I will be referring to them as planets for the sake of discussion and simplicity.

I am looking for information about the general appearance of such worlds and general answers to my questions. To say they are "habitable" does not do much to answer my questions, as that is already a given factor in my line of questioning.

More specific questions - What would general light conditions be? Would stars be visible during the day around planets in the habitable zones of brown dwarfs? What would we expect their general appearance to be?
 
An unhappy thought: White dwarfs were A-type or 'hotter' stars that have run through their fuel, expired quietly. Think Sirius-B, The Pup. A potentially habitable planet would have been a considerable distance out, especially when you remember star ran through 'Red Giant' phase along the way...

Okay, a 'Brown Dwarf' or T-type does not have this problem to same extent but, as it cools after lithium burning, will have a steadily shrinking hab-zone. IIRC, initial 'orbit would have to be far enough out that subsequent tidal dissipation would tend to increase orbital size per Earth/Moon.
D'uh...

One possibility is multiple planets with resonance-driven tidal forces keeping the hab-zone's stirred...
 

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