CFBDSIR2149-0403: a 4-7 Jupiter-mass free-floating planet in the young moving group AB Doradus ? · HackerPapers discussions

CFBDSIR2149-0403: a 4-7 Jupiter-mass free-floating planet in the young moving group AB Doradus ? — mentioned by wcoenen

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:17:15 GMT

I think that the news here is that is has been determined that it is not a brown dwarf. See the paper[1] for more details. Though I'm not sure why the distinction between giant planet vs cold tiny star is so important. [1] http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.0305

Paper and discussion history. A mention is not an endorsement.

CFBDSIR2149-0403: a 4-7 Jupiter-mass free-floating planet in the young moving group AB Doradus ? — mentioned by ComputerGuru

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:03:55 GMT

Can someone explain to me how this would be termed a planet? Doesn't the very definition of planet imply rotation around a star or other celestial object? The BBC article is a little better: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20309762 And it links to the actual paper: http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.0305

Paper and discussion history. A mention is not an endorsement.