IALuder
02-11-2005, 07:56 AM
http://space.com/scienceastronomy/miniature_solarsys_050207.html
An object smaller than Pluto has been discovered orbiting a dying star in what astronomers said Monday resembles a pint-sized version of our solar system.
In a separate study, a disk of planet-building material was spied circling a dim star-like object just 15 times the mass of Jupiter. The brown dwarf, as it is known, is a cosmically lukewarm ball of gas that straddles the definition between planet and star. The system could evolve into a compact, dim solar system, again with a familiar look.
The two findings suggest tiny, dim solar systems may be common. They also have scientists wondering anew what really constitutes a planet and what sorts of exotic worlds might harbor life.
The results were presented to reporters in a teleconference from an extrasolar planet meeting held at the Aspen Center for Physics in Colorado.
http://a52.g.akamaitech.net/f/52/827/1d/www.space.com/images/050207_planet_disk_01.jpg
An object smaller than Pluto has been discovered orbiting a dying star in what astronomers said Monday resembles a pint-sized version of our solar system.
In a separate study, a disk of planet-building material was spied circling a dim star-like object just 15 times the mass of Jupiter. The brown dwarf, as it is known, is a cosmically lukewarm ball of gas that straddles the definition between planet and star. The system could evolve into a compact, dim solar system, again with a familiar look.
The two findings suggest tiny, dim solar systems may be common. They also have scientists wondering anew what really constitutes a planet and what sorts of exotic worlds might harbor life.
The results were presented to reporters in a teleconference from an extrasolar planet meeting held at the Aspen Center for Physics in Colorado.
http://a52.g.akamaitech.net/f/52/827/1d/www.space.com/images/050207_planet_disk_01.jpg