Astronomers have discovered a bizarre exoplanetary system featuring the first-ever “polar planet” and two brown dwarf stars. The planet, 2M1510 (AB) b, orbits its two sun-like bodies at a 90-degree angle, making it the weirdest planetary system ever seen.
Located 120 light-years away in the constellation of Libra, this exoplanet is part of a binary system consisting of two brown dwarfs. Brown dwarfs are stellar bodies that fail to ignite fusion in their cores and are often referred to as “failed stars.”
The discovery was made using data from the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) instrument attached to the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Researchers noticed that the brown dwarfs were being “pushed and pulled” by an unseen planet, leading them to conclude that a polar planet existed in this system.
This is the first solid evidence of a fully formed planetary system with a 90-degree orbit around a binary pairing. The team leader, Thomas Baycroft, stated that they are excited about detecting credible evidence of such a configuration.
The discovery highlights the vast diversity of exoplanetary systems and challenges our understanding of what is possible in the universe. This strange phenomenon also increases the rarity of brown dwarf binaries, making this system even more remarkable.
Astronomers have discovered numerous strange worlds beyond our solar system, including planets with unusual compositions or orbits. However, this particular discovery showcases the complexity and intricacy of celestial systems.
The research was published on Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, shedding new light on the possibilities of exoplanetary systems.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/exoplanets/scientists-discover-bizarre-double-star-system-with-exoplanet-on-a-sideways-orbit-video